Question

In the second sentence of the third paragraph, the author uses the clause “which is expected” to advance which of the following claims about jesting?
A. If a witty remark is repeated by someone other than its inventor, it is unlikely to be funny.

B. In the absence of surprise, a witty remark loses much of its humorous effect.

C. Witty remarks that address topical events tend to become stale very swiftly.

D. Shocking events offer the best occasions for humor.

E. Unless a witty remark reinforces its audience’s values, the audience will not find the remark amusing.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. In the absence of surprise, a witty remark loses much of its humorous effect.

Explanation:

Answer B

Correct. In the first sentence of the third paragraph, the author makes the claim that “merriment” (amusement) can be produced only by “a sudden impression,” that is, a surprise. In the second sentence of the paragraph, the author advances that claim by using the clause “which is expected” to assert that jests (witty remarks) lacking such an element of surprise (because the audience is expecting them) lose much of their humor and are thus effectively “already destroyed.”

Answer 2

Answer:

B

Explanation:

In the absence of surprise, a witty remark loses much of its humorous effect.