When Denis Hennequin took over as the European boss of McDonald's in January 2004, the world's biggest restaurant chain was showing signs of recovery in America and Australia, but sales in Europe were sluggish or declining.One exception was France, where Mr.Hennequin had done a reliable job as head on the group's French subsidiary(子公式) to sell more Big Macs to his relatives, His task was to copy this success in all 41 of the European countries where anti-globalisers’ favourite enemy operates.
So far Mr.Henncquin is doing well.Last year European sales increased by 5.8% and the number of customers by 3.4%, the best annual results in nearly 15 years.Europe accounted for 36% of the group's profits and for 28 of its sales.December was an especially good month as customers took to seasonal menu offerings in France and Britain, and to a promotion in Germany based on the game of Monopoly(垄断).
Mr.Hennequin's recipe for revival(复兴) is to be more open about his company's operations, to be "locally relevant", and to improve the experience of visiting his 6.400 restaurants. McDonaId's is blamed for making people fat, exploiting workers, treating animals cruelly, polluting the environment and simply for being American.Mr.Hennequin says he wants to engage in a dialogue with the public to address these concerns.
He introduced "open door" visitor days in each country which became hugely popular.In Poland alone some 50,000 visitors came to McDonaId's through the visitors' program last year.The Nutrition Information Initiative(倡议)launched last year, put detailed Sables on McDonaId's packaging with data on calories, protein, fat, carbohy drates and salt content, "the details are also printed on tray-liners.
49.Which of the following statement is RIGHT?
A.Denis Hennequin has been boss of McDonald since 2004.
B.The sales of McDonald is increasing in France.
C.Denis Hennequin tries his best to increase the sales of McDonald in the world.
D.The nutrition information is always launched on McDonald products.
50.McDonaId's is blamed in Europe for the following reasons EXCEPT .[来
A.making people fat B.exploiting workers
C.treating animals cruelly D.earning too much
51.Which of the following is not included in the McDonaId's packaging?
A.attentions B.fat C.protein D.salt content
52.What did Denis Hennequin do to increase the sales of McDonald in Europe?
A.He visited all the McDonaId's branches in Europe.
B.He introduced "open door" visitor's days in each country.
C.He had done a reliable job as head of the group's French subsidiary.
D.He engaged in a dialogue with the public.
237 West Palmdale Boulevard Fresno, California 93706 AmToy Corporation Suite 15 TransAm Building San Francisco, California 94115 November 20, 2008 Dear Sirs, As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro—Robo seen in local media is California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads (attached to this letter)published the week of November 15. Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle-class parents. Further, you product is violent in nature. Youth advertisement gives children the impression that it’s fine to have “two guns and laser eyes.” You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them “when you go outside.” This is not a healthy attitude for children to have. I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children. Sincerely yours, (Mrs.) Alma Hernandez President, Parents for Non-violent Toys Enc. |
It’s here! Ready for You, Now! It’s Electro-Robo! Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Roho is the world’s first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo! Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro-Robo! Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW! |
What is the purpose of the letter?
A.To complain about a broken toy. | B.To oppose the advertising. |
C.To order a gift for Christmas. | D.To apply for a job in a toy company. |
What dose “Enc.” at the end of the letter mean?
A.Something attached to the letter. | B.A complaint to the toy company. |
C.A hidden message | D.An encouraging response. |
Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT ______-.
A.sitting down | B.shaking hands | C.talking | D.walking |
When women sit together to watch a movie on TV, they usually talk simultaneously(同时的)about a variety of subjects, including children, men, careers and what' s happening in their lives. When groups of men and women watch a movie together, the men usually end up telling the women to shut up. Men can either talk or watch the screen -- they can' t do both -- and they don' t understand that women can. Besides, women consider that the point of all getting together is to have a good time and develop relationships -- not just to sit there like couch potatoes staring at the screen.
During the ad breaks, a man often asks a woman to explain the plot and tell him where the relationship between the characters is going. He is unable, unlike women, to read the subtle body language signals that reveal how the characters are feeling emotionally. Since women originally spent their days with the other women and children in the group, they developed the ability to communicate successfully in order to maintain relationships. For a woman, speech continues to have such a clear purpose: to build relationships and make friends. For men, to talk is to relate the facts.
Men see the telephone as a communication tool for sending facts and information to other people, but a woman sees it as a means of bonding. A woman can spend two weeks on vacation with her girlfriend and, when she returns home, telephone the same girlfriend and talk for another two hours.
There is no convincing evidence that social conditioning, the fact that girls' mothers talked them more, is the reason why girls talk more than boys. Psychiatrist Dr Michael Lewis, author of Social Behaviour and Language Acquisition, conducted experiments that found mothers talked to and looked at, baby girls more often than baby boys. Scientific evidence shows parents respond to the brain bias of their children. Since a girl’s brain is better organized to send and receive speech,we therefore talk to them more. Consequently, mothers who try to talk to their sons are usually pointed to receive only short grunts in reply. While watching TV with others, women Usually talk a lot because they
A.are afraid of awkward silence with their families and friends |
B.can both talk and watch the screen at the Same time |
C.think they can have a good time and develop relationships |
D.have to explain the plot and body language to their husbands |
After a vacation with her girlfriend, a woman would talk to her again on the phone for hours in order to .
A.experience the happy time again | B.keep a close tie with her |
C.recommend her a new scenic spot | D.remind her of something forgotten |
What does the author want to tell us most?
A.Women' s brains are better organized for language and communication |
B.Women love to talk because they are more sociable than men. |
C.Men do not like talking because they rely more on facts. |
D.Social conditioning is not the reason why women love talking. |
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.Women Are Socially Trained to Talk | B.Talking Maintains Relationships |
C.Women Love to Talk | D.Men Talk Differently from Women |
My grandfather came from Hungary and was the only one in his family who settled down in the United States. The rest of his family remained in Europe. When World War I broke out, he seemed to have become another man, downhearted. Such obvious change was not born out of concern for his welfare, but out of fear: if his only son, my uncle, had to go to war, it would be cousin fighting against cousin.
One day in 1918, my Uncle Milton received his draft notice. My grandparents were very upset. But my mother, at the age of 10, felt on top of the world about her soldier brother going off to war. Realizing how he was regarded by his little sister and all of her friends, my uncle bought them all service pins, which meant that they had a loved one in the service. All the little girls were delighted.
The moment came when my uncle and the other soldiers, without any training but all in uniforms, boarded the train. The band played and the crowd cheered. Although no one noticed, I’m sure my grandmother had a tear in her eye for the only son. The train slowly pulled out, but not about a thousand yards when it suddenly paused. Everyone stared in wonder as the train slowly returned to the station. There was a dead silence before the doors opened and the men started to step out. Someone shouted, “The war is over!” For a moment, nobody moved, but then the people heard someone bark orders at the soldiers. The men lined up in two lines, walked down the steps, and with the band playing, marched down the street, as returning heroes, to be welcomed home. My mother said it was a great day, but she was just a little disappointed that it didn’t last a tiny bit longer.
What the grandfather was most worried about was .
A.the spread of the world war | B.the safety of his two cousins |
C.a drop in his living standards | D.his relatives killing each other |
The underlined phrase “draft notice” means ““
A.order for army service | B.train ticket for Europe |
C.letter of rejection | D.note of warning |
What did the “service pins” (in Para.2) stand for in the eyes of the little girls?
A.Strength. | B.Courage. | C.Victory. | D.Honor. |
Which of the following words can best describe the ending of th
e story?
A.Disappointing. | B.Unexpected. | C.Uncertain. | D.Inspiring. |
Remembering names is an important social skill.Here are some ways to master it.
Recite and repeat in conversation.
When you hear a person’s name,repeat it.Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips.You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.
Ask the other person to recite and repeat.
You can let other people help you remember their names.After you’ve been introduced to someone,ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you.Most people will be pleased by the effort you’re making to learn their names.
Admit you don’t know.
Admitting that you can’t remember someone’s name can actually make people relaxed.Most of them will feel sympathy if you say.“I’m working to remember names better.Yours is right on the tip of my tongue.What is it again?”
Use associations.
Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual.For example,you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng -- tall, black hair.” To reinforce (加强) your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.
Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.
When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.
Go early.
Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others -- an automatic review for you.
How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?
A.They will be moved. | B.They will be annoyed. |
C.They will be delighted. | D.They will be discouraged. |
If you can't remember someone's name, you may __
A.tell him the truth | B.tell him a white lie |
C.ask him for pity | D.ask others to help you |
When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember __
A.all their names | B.a couple of names first |
C.just their last names | D.as many names as possible |
What does the text mainly tell us?
A.Tips on an important social skill. | B.Importance of attending parties. |
C.How to make use of associations. | D.How to recite and repeat names. |
A newly-published study has shown that loneliness can spread from one person to another, like a disease. Researchers used information from the Framingham Study, which began in 1948. The Framingham Study gathers information about physical and mental health, personal behavior and diet. At first, the study involved about 5,000 people in the American state of Massachusetts. Now, more than 12,000 individuals are taking part.
Information from the Framingham Study showed earlier that happiness can spread from person to person. So can behaviors like littering and the ability to stop smoking.
University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo led the recent study. He and other researchers attempted to show how often people felt lonely. They found that the feeling of loneliness spread through social groups.
Having a social connection with a lonely person increased the chances that another individual would feel lonely. In fact, a friend of a lonely person was 52% more likely to develop feelings of loneliness. A friend of that person was 25% more likely. The researchers say this shows that a person could indirectly be affected by someone’s loneliness.
The effect was strongest among friends. Neighbors were the second most affected group. The effect was weaker on husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters. The researchers also found that loneliness spread more easily among women than men.
The New York Times newspaper reports that, on average, people experience feelings of loneliness about 48 days a year. It also found that every additional friend can decrease loneliness by about five percent, or two and a half fewer lonely days.
Loneliness has been linked to health problems like depression and sleeping difficulties. The researchers believe that knowing the causes of loneliness could help in reducing it.
The study suggests that people can take steps to stop the spread of loneliness. They can do this by helping individuals they know who may be experiencing loneliness. The result can be helpful to the whole social group.
What is TRUE about the Framingham Study?
A.It was only conducted in 1948. |
B.It involves more than 12,000 participants. |
C.It was led by John Cacioppo. |
D.It showed that any behavior could spread. |
Which statement about the spread of loneliness is true?
A.The spreading effect was the second strongest among friends. |
B.No spreading effect was found on husbands and wives. |
C.Women are more likely to be affected than men. |
D.Brothers are more easily affected than neighbors. |
What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Actions should be taken to help lonely people. |
B.People feel lonely for many reasons. |
C.Ways to fight against loneliness. |
D.Lonely people can affect others. |