Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

A culture's values can be mirrored by its humor. Humor has been evaluated by many great minds such as Thomas Hobbes, who, in "On Nature", disliked humor, "Laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from sudden thought of feeling far better than others." He thought humor to be a negative quality of human narrow-mindedness.

However, Mordechai Gordon, Ph. D of Education, insists, "Humor allows us to view the world from an angle that is amusing rather than serious." I agree with Gordon. Learning to look at the world through humor is important.

In the United States, every four years an election occurs. Without humor as a way to express their feelings, how else would Americans keep from clawing their eyes out and going the way of lemming? Television shows like "The Daily Show" have become important parts of American culture. They are mothering the masses by metaphorically airplane-ing politics into our mouths. They make politics fun.

Of course, politics is only one type of humor. Social humor helps people through the twists and turns of the human condition. American pop culture promotes an unhealthy self- image. On the topic of self-image, Hari Kondabolu stands out. He has a joke about the popular musical group "The Pussycat Dolls", describing their hit song "Don't Cha" as a negative representation of women. He points out an obvious offence in American culture.

A study from Loyola University of Maryland has shown that humor is one determining factor for selecting a mating partner. Amongst other things, mates look for an outstanding funny bone in a potential partner.

Of course, humor is not always used for good purposes. Humor can be linked to vulgarity and racism, but, like everything else, it has potential to unite human beings by allowing us to laugh at ourselves, our failures and our connection with one another.

Though 1ife may seem tough and depressing at times, all I have to do is look in the mirror at my increased wrinkles to know that there is a comedy out there that even Chaplin wasn't aware of.

With that in mind, remember to laugh with humanity and sometimes at humanity.

1. Is humor important in the opinion of the author?
2. Where was the study done showing we look for humor when dating?
3. What is mirrored by a culture?
4. Who didn't like humor?
5. What did he think it was?
6. Who said it helps us see things less seriously?
7. When do we elected politicians in America?
8. Is laughter important in this process?
9. What television show provides an outlet for this?
10. Who jokes about a song?
11. What is it's name
12. By whom?
13. Is humor only used to help?
14. What is something less than positive that may appear there?
15. What might it be linked to?
16. What does the author see in his reflection?
17. What do they tell him?
18. And what should we chuckle at besides ourselves?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. yes
2. Loyola University
3. its humor.
4. Thomas Hobbes
5. a negative quality of human narrow-mindedness
6. Mordechai Gordon
7. every four years
8. Yes
9. "The Daily Show"
10. Hari Kondabolu
11. "Don't Cha"
12. "The Pussycat Dolls",
13. No
14. representation of women
15. vulgarity and racism
16. increased wrinkles
17. That there is a comedy in everything.
18. our failures and connection with one another.

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

Kanye's "Fantasy" conquered reality; the Black Keys locked into a groove; Arcade Fire burned down the suburbs.

(Rolling Stone) -- 5. Jamey Johnson, "The Guitar Song" 1: What does Jamey Johnson keep under all of that hair? Songs. Nashville's gruffest and grittiest star turns out to be its most reliable traditionalist, a Music Row pro who can write a song for every emotional season. Johnson pulled out a whole slew of them -- 25, clocking in north of 105 minutes -- for his double-disc fourth album: acoustic confessions and rugged boogie blues, big weepers and grim reapers, cover tunes and novelty ditties, not to mention "California Riots" and "Playing the Part," a pair of fiercely funny, unrepentantly redneck swipes at the frou-frou blue states.

4. Arcade Fire, "The Suburbs" Arcade Fire don't do anything small -- so leave it to the Montreal collective to make an album of vast, orchestral rock that locates the battle for the human soul amid big houses and manicured lawns.

"The Suburbs" is the band's most adventurous album yet: See the psychotic speed strings on "Empty Room," the Crazy Horse rush of "Month of May," the synth-pop disco of "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)." Win Butler and his wife, Regine Chassagne, sing about suburban boredom, fear of change and wanting to have a kid of their own -- always scaling their intimate confessions to arena-rock levels and finding beauty wherever they look.

3. Elton John and Leon Russell, "The Union" Two rock giants, one largely forgotten, rekindle a friendship and make music that ranks with their best. Producer T Bone Burnett delivers his most spectacular production in memory, filled with shining steel guitar, chortling brass and gospel-time choirs. Ultimately, it's Russell's voice that shines brightest, drawing on the entire history of American popular music in its canny, vulnerable, knowing croon.

1. What does Jamey Johnson keep under all of that hair?
2. Jamey Johnson is from ?
3. who delivers his most spectacular production ?
4. who is the artist for the song California Riots ?
5. who is Win Butler married to ?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. Songs
2. Nashville
3. unknown
4. Johnson
5. Regine Chassagne