You’ve probably heard the phrase, “_________”. The comedy course—Comedy on Referral— has taken that idea and run with it, using stand-up comedy to help treat people struggling with trauma(精神创伤) and anxiety in partnership with the NHS(英国国家医疗服务体系).

The idea stemmed from comedian Angie Belcher’s experiences teaching comedy at Bristol University. She found that students often told her how much stronger and more resilient they were thanks to stand-up comedy. Inspired, she teamed up with the NHS in Bristol to create a six-week comedy course for patients struggling with trauma in January 2022. Following the success of this initial course, Comedy on Referral won NHS funding to help men at risk of suicide in London.

Belcher will work alongside psychologists and men who have experienced suicidal events to use comedy as a form of treatment. “Past traumas are perfect for comedy. Comedy doesn’t come from the happy, perfect moments of our life, but from our everyday struggles and major life events. People who’ve been through big life experiences often can’t wait to tell me their story, mostly because there’s always something weirdly(离奇地) funny about the situation,” said Belcher.

Laughter is good for us. Research has shown that laughter has positive psychological effects, such as decreasing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increasing endorphins(内啡肽). It can even have physiological benefits, although less research has been done in this area. Current research has linked laughter and humour with increased levels of pain tolerance as well as short-term cardiovascular(心血管的) benefits. But more research is needed to provide evidence for these findings.

Nonetheless, the mental health benefits of regular laughter are widely agreed, and using comedy to treat mental health struggles could be a real breakthrough in the treatment of mental health. 

1.Which phrase can be put back into the blank?

A He who laughs last laughs best.

B You can live a white head without worrying.

C Laughter is the best medicine.

D Laugh long, cry sick.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据横线后的“The comedy course—Comedy on Referral— has taken that idea and run with it, using stand-up comedy to help treat people struggling with trauma and anxiety in partnership with the NHS.”可知，这个课程是与英国国家医疗服务体系合作开设，用于帮助治疗精神病和焦虑症患者，因此C项“大笑是治愈一切的良药”符合文意。故选C。

2.What’s the second paragraph mainly about?

A The inspiration for the course.

B Ways to participate in this course.

C Why the course was successful.

D Where the course was often held.

解析：选A。A 段落大意题。根据本段第一句“The idea stemmed from comedian Angie Belcher’s experiences teaching comedy...”可知主要介绍了开设该喜剧课程的灵感来源。故选A。

3.What is TRUE about Belcher?

A She helps cure heart diseases.

B She experienced suicidal events.

C She will do research about laughter.

D She will create more comedy courses.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段第一句“Belcher will work alongside psychologists and men who have experienced suicidal events to use comedy as a form of treatment.”并结合第二段她所做的事情“create a six-week comedy course”可知，她将和心理医生一起工作，把喜剧作为一种治疗形式，开更多的喜剧课程。故选D。

4.What’s the author’s attitude toward Comedy on Referral?

A Uncertain.

B Doubtful.

C Positive.

D Dissatisfied.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“widely agreed”以及“a real breakthrough”可知，作者对于喜剧课程“Comedy on Referral”持积极态度。故选C。