What was the audience's reaction to the speaker's jokes?

The choice indicating that the audience's reaction was one where the jokes "went down badly" suggests that the humor did not resonate with the listeners, leading to a negative reception. This means that instead of laughter or appreciation, the jokes may have been met with disapproval or silence, reflecting a lack of enjoyment or connection with the material presented by the speaker.

This interpretation highlights the fundamental aspects of audience engagement with humor. It's essential to understand that humor often relies on shared experiences or relatable content. When a speaker's jokes fail to connect, it can result in an awkward atmosphere or even disappointment from the audience. In contrast, the other options convey more positive or neutral reactions, which do not accurately capture the essence of a poor reception indicated by the chosen option.