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When was the last time you laughed a lot? Most people are the victim of an uncontrollable fit of
laughter at least once in their lives. But when it happens in front of the television cameras, it can become
an internet sensation.
Do you think there's anything funny about spicy meat? Swiss finance minister Hans-Rudolf Merz
seemed to think it was hilarious. Mr. Merz was making a speech in the Swiss parliament on meat imports when he started laughing and couldn't stop. The meat in question is known as "b?ndnerfleisch"- a type of
air-dried beef product. Herr Merz later admitted that he was amused by the bureaucratic (官僚主义的)
language in which the bill was written.
Since then, Mr. Merz has become an internet hit. A video of the incident shows a grey-suited minister
giggling away, accompanied by applause from his parliamentary colleagues. So far, the video has been
seen by more than 500,000 people on YouYube and other websites. "I don't understand what he's talking about," said one viewer, "but it's just so funny." The recent publicity will be good news for the minister,
too. Mr. Merz had been criticized recently for signing away much of Switzerland's banking secrecy, and
for failing to do enough to help two Swiss citizens who were detained by Libya. But now, with retirement
a few months away, Mr. Merz may leave on a high note. Some even suggest he may have a future career
as a comedian.
Of course, Mr. Merz isn't the first person to crack up on air. BBC Radio 4 newsreader Charlotte
Green lost control on the programme Today not so long ago. It all happened after a clip of the oldest
known recording of the human voice was played. A studio member remarked that the 1860 recording of
a woman singing the French song "Au Clair de la Lune" sounded like a "bee buzzing in a bottle". That
seemed to set Ms. Green off as she broke down into a fit of the giggles. Later, the editor of the show,
Ceri Thomas, said most listeners who contacted the show had commented on "how much they had
enjoyed the moment". He added, "When Charlotte loses it, she really loses it."
So, why do we get these fits of laughter? Experts say it's a form of release. Nervous tension often
builds up inside us, especially in those who have got high-pressure, stressful jobs. When stressed out, the
body constricts (收缩) blood vessels, elevates the production of potentially damaging stress hormones,
and raises blood pressure. Short periods of stress are normal and not dangerous, but over long periods of
time stress weakens the immune system and makes heart problems more likely. Under the control of
self-protecting mechanisms of human body, this pressure needs an outlet, usually manifesting itself through
tears, anger or laughter- uncontrollable fits of laughter!
So, beware! That uncontrollable laughing fit could strike at any moment.
1. Which of the following can best replace the underlined word "crack up"?
A. break up
B. cheer up
C. laugh away
D. catch on
2. By saying "The recent publicity will be good news for the minister, too. ", the author means
that the video of the minister's laughing fit_______.
A. may help him sign away some of Swizerland's banking secrecy.
B. may help him return to the focus of the public in spite of some negative news.
C. may help make the public think highly of the minister recently.
D. may help put off the retirement of the minister.
3. According to the passage, Charlotte Green lost control on the programme because _______.
A. the clip of the programme is too old to be used.
B. she broke down in the studio while making the programme.
C. a studio member thought she sang the French song badly.
D. the recording of the French song sounded extremely funny.
4. Which of the following is true according to the experts?
A. Those who suffer higher pressure from work are more likely to laugh away.
B. Uncontrollable laughing fits can help to release the pressure.
C. Stress outlet can be controlled by ourselves if we try hard.
D. It is unnecessary to pay attention to short periods of stress because they are not dangerous.
5. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A. uncontrollable fits of laughter is very common among people.
B. Mr. Merz will be a comedian after retirement.
C. Charlotte Green will be dismissed due to this incident.
D. most of the listeners who contacted the show thought it inappropriate for a newsreader to
laugh away on the programme.
