(IGP) IAS Pre Paper - 2: GS - Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability - Punch lines

We make several statements in our day-to-day life and invariably come across statement, which are funny and leads to a sudden twist to the conversion. Basically, punch lines are usually the last lines of a conversation/ story, etc, which provide it with humor and climax or we can say that it is the trial part of a joke or a comedy sketch. A given statement would fit as a punch line if, it passes the following three tests.

I. It must be a climax.
II. It must be funny.
III. It must bring in sudden twist.

In these types of questions, an incident is described but the punch line is missing. Considering the incident, you have to decide which of the two statements fits as a punch line.

As such, for all practical purposes, it can be said the reader should not bother about this test and may skip it. Climax test may become relevant at a later date when the format of the questions changes.

A funny statement is defined as a statement which makes an average human being laugh or at least smile.

The third and final criterion for a suggested statement to fit as a punch line is that it must have a sudden twist so that, it brings about something not expected. The keyword here, is twist into something not expected. So, there must be an element of surprise in it.

Types of Questions Asked in Various Competitions

We will see punch lines after having a look at the format in which the questions are put.

Directions: We come across many funny incidents in different walks of life. One of the funny incidents is the punch line or a climax which gives the incident a sudden transformation or twist, (into something not expected).

It is this punch line which makes the incident funny.

In each of the following questions, an incident is described but the punch line is missing-indicated by a blank. After the incident, two statements numbered I and II are given considering the incident, you have to decide which of the two statements as a punching.
Give your answers as
(a) if you think only statement I fits
(b) if you think only statement II fits
(c) if you think both the statement I and II fit and the wavelengths of approach in both the statement are also more less the same
(d) if you think both I and II fit but the ideas or wavelengths of approach in both the statements are different and contrasting

Example 1

Judge: “order! order!!”
Convict :...............
I. “But I am not making any noise, Sir.”
II. “One cup of coffee, please!”
(a) Only I
(b) Both with same idea
(c) Only II
(d) Both with contrasting ideas
Solution. I is not funny because it is a normal response, II is funny because it twists the meaning of ‘order’; as if the person were a waiter instead of a judge.

Example 2

The conductor asked the commuter for the ticket. The commuter produced the ticket which the conductor examined carefully and then said
I. “I asked you for a season ticket, not a seasoned ticket”.
II. “You have traveled farther than your ticket could take you, Sir”.
Solution. Both are funny. I is funny because it implies that the young man is the ‘reason for laughter’ of the old man. So, the old man declares the young fellow to be an object of laughter in a subtle, twisted way, II is funny as it implies that the old man laughs at jokes which he read during his youth! It implies that he understands the jokes now. So, both are funny, but with contrasting ideas. In I, the young man is made an idiot; in II, the old man.

Example 3

A : “That article was so boring, it sent us to sleep.”
B : “What did it discuss?”
I. Insomnia
II. Drug abuse and its psychometric after effects.
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both with same idea
(d) Both with contrasting ideas
Solution. Insomnia is a disease caused by lack of sleep. The, statement I contains humour and makes one laugh. Statement II is an ordinary statement and does not qualify for punch line. Hence, statement f qualifies for punch line.

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