In his book Laugh Your Way to Financial Success, author Frank Abbott argues that people with a sense of humor have more success in the business world than people who, in his terms, “lack the laughs.” Abbott writes convincingly about the benefits of having a sense of humor. He describes real-life situations in which workplace tensions are diffused by a joke. He also cites a study showing better health outcomes in people who can find the humor in difficult circumstances. In a general sense, Abbott’s point is well-taken: humor can help us lead better lives.
However, Abbott never proves his main premise: that having a sense of humor will bring you more money. His anecdotes tend to describe people using humor to reduce awkwardness at work or to feel better about difficult situations. None of his stories involve people receiving promotions, or larger paychecks, or even recognition from their bosses. Has Abbott seen actual examples of humor leading directly to financial success? He doesn’t say. In fact, he seems to deliberately muddle the meaning of success. The book’s title clearly specifies financial success. However, as chapter titles like Joke the Stress Away and The Break Room is Your Stage indicate, the focus quickly changes to non-financial measures of success. While these are certainly valid, they fall short of the title’s promise.
Abbott makes a good case for the benefits of going through life with a sense of humor. However, he falls short of showing how laughter leads to financial gains.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
What evidence does the reviewer give to support the idea that the author leaves out important information?
(1 point)
Responses
The examples in the book focus on situations that occurred in the workplace.
The examples in the book focus on situations that occurred in the workplace.
The anecdotes do not describe people earning more money.
The anecdotes do not describe people earning more money.
The title gives the reader a good idea of what the book contains.
The title gives the reader a good idea of what the book contains.
The book does not describe any benefits of humor in the workplace.
The book does not describe any benefits of humor in the workplace.
In his book Laugh Your Way to Financial Success, author Frank Abbott argues that people with a sense of humor have more success in the business world than people who, in his terms, “lack the laughs.” Abbott writes convincingly about the benefits of having a sense of humor. He describes real-life situations in which workplace tensions are diffused by a joke. He also cites a study showing better health outcomes in people who can find the humor in difficult circumstances. In a general sense, Abbott’s point is well-taken: humor can help us lead better lives.
However, Abbott never proves his main premise: that having a sense of humor will bring you more money. His anecdotes tend to describe people using humor to reduce awkwardness at work or to feel better about difficult situations. None of his stories involve people receiving promotions, or larger paychecks, or even recognition from their bosses. Has Abbott seen actual examples of humor leading directly to financial success? He doesn’t say. In fact, he seems to deliberately muddle the meaning of success. The book’s title clearly specifies financial success. However, as chapter titles like Joke the Stress Away and The Break Room is Your Stage indicate, the focus quickly changes to non-financial measures of success. While these are certainly valid, they fall short of the title’s promise.
Abbott makes a good case for the benefits of going through life with a sense of humor. However, he falls short of showing how laughter leads to financial gains.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Why does the reviewer state the titles of two chapters in the book?
(1 point)
Responses
to provide examples of ways that the book gives practical advice to the reader
to provide examples of ways that the book gives practical advice to the reader
to support the idea that the book fails to live up to its title
to support the idea that the book fails to live up to its title
to encourage people to read the book and form their own opinions
to encourage people to read the book and form their own opinions
to argue that people should learn to use humor in order to succeed at business\
In her book Slow and Steady Wins the Race, author Dahlia Williams argues that Americans have grown too busy to fully enjoy their lives. While some of her ideas seem a bit simplistic—for example, she acknowledges only in passing that many people have jobs that do not come with vacation time—she makes some compelling points about American culture. Compared to people in many other countries, Americans get less vacation time and are more reluctant to use it. In fact, Williams points out, 28 percent of people in 2014 didn’t take any vacation days because they wanted to show their dedication to the job.
Williams delves into the root of this reluctance, pointing a finger at corporate cultures that value total dedication to the workplace. She quotes an unnamed worker in the field of technology, who says, “I would love to take a week off, or even a couple of days. But that’s just not how it works around here. My boss would make sure I knew that I let the whole team down. It’s not worth it.”
Williams’s book makes the reader think hard about how work has encroached on all aspects of our lives. Her conclusions about the benefits of leisure time, both to the individual and to society as a whole, left this reader thinking, “Yes, it’s worth it.” We must change the culture that values busyness above all else and remember that leisure time benefits everyone in the long run.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
What evidence does the reviewer provide to show that some of the author’s ideas are simplistic?
(1 point)
Responses
The author blames corporate culture for making it more difficult for workers to take vacation time.
The author blames corporate culture for making it more difficult for workers to take vacation time.
The book makes readers think about how work has interfered with their lives.
The book makes readers think about how work has interfered with their lives.
The author acknowledges only in passing that many people have jobs that do not come with vacation time.
The author acknowledges only in passing that many people have jobs that do not come with vacation time.
The author argues that when people take leisure time, there are benefits to individuals and to society.
The author argues that when people take leisure time, there are benefits to individuals and to society.
1 answer
What evidence does the reviewer give to support the idea that the author leaves out important information?
The correct response is:
The anecdotes do not describe people earning more money.
Why does the reviewer state the titles of two chapters in the book?
The correct response is:
to support the idea that the book fails to live up to its title.
What evidence does the reviewer provide to show that some of the author’s ideas are simplistic?
The correct response is:
The author acknowledges only in passing that many people have jobs that do not come with vacation time.
