The Science of Laughter

science

The Science of Laughter

Learn about why humans laugh, how laughter evolved, and how it affects our bodies and relationships in this A2 English reading worksheet.

Title

The Science of Laughter

Seo_intro

Learn about why humans laugh, how laughter evolved, and how it affects our bodies and relationships in this A2 English reading worksheet.

Reading Text

Laughter is a strange and wonderful thing. When something is funny, our body changes in many ways. Our muscles contract rapidly, our breathing changes, and we might even cry. But why do we do this? Scientists think that laughter evolved a very long time ago. In fact, humans are not the only animals that laugh. Researchers found that rats giggle when someone tickles them. Many other animals, like apes and some birds, make special sounds when they play together. Scientists believe that early laughter was a signal to show friendly intentions during play. Today, humans laugh for many reasons. We laugh when we are amused, surprised, or even nervous. Laughter is also contagious. When you hear another person laugh, your brain wants to smile or laugh too. Laughing with friends makes us feel closer to them. In addition, laughter releases feel-good chemicals in our brain that decrease stress. It helps us feel better and keeps us healthy.

Activities

Vocabulary

Items:

Label: contract
Answer: def1
Label: evolved
Answer: def2
Label: giggle
Answer: def3
Label: intentions
Answer: def4
Label: contagious
Answer: def5
Label: releases
Answer: def6

Definitions:

Text: To become smaller or tighter.
Text: Developed gradually over a long period of time.
Text: To laugh in a quiet or silly way.
Text: Plans or aims to do something.
Text: Easily spread from one person to another.
Text: Lets something out or sets it free.

Fill In The Blanks:

Before: When you exercise, your muscles
After: and become stronger.
Answer: contract
Before: Scientists study how animals
After: over millions of years.
Answer: evolved
Before: The children began to
After: when the clown did a funny trick.
Answer: giggle
Before: A smile usually shows friendly
After: toward other people.
Answer: intentions
Before: Her happy smile was so
After: that everyone in the room smiled too.
Answer: contagious

Comprehension

Questions:

Text: Human muscles contract rapidly when we laugh.
Answer: true
Text: Humans are the only animals on Earth that make laughter-like sounds.
Answer: false
Text: Rats giggle when they are tickled by researchers.
Answer: true
Text: Laughter can make other people want to laugh or smile.
Answer: true
Text: Laughter increases your stress levels and makes you feel bad.
Answer: false

Scrambled:

Answer: Laughter is a strange and wonderful thing.
Answer: Humans are not the only animals that laugh.
Answer: Rats giggle when someone tickles them.
Answer: Laughter is also very contagious.
Answer: It helps us feel better and stay healthy.

Written Expression

Questions:

Text: What is something that always makes you laugh? Describe the situation or person.
Text: Do you agree that laughter is good medicine for stress? Why or why not?

Examples:

Example Answer: Watching funny videos of cats always makes me laugh because they do silly things. I agree that laughter reduces stress because I always feel relaxed after laughing with my friends.

Critical Thinking

Title: Discussion & Extension Questions

Instructions:

Why do you think humans laugh when they are nervous or uncomfortable, not just when something is funny?
How does laughing with a group of friends differ from laughing alone while watching a video at home?