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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
The Mighty1, Mighty Mascots3 吉祥物
by Christine Newton
Wearing a bright yellow jumpsuit, white face paint, and a long-sleeved red and white shirt, he isn't a new fashion icon4. His bright red hair, nose, and mouth make him a natural in his position as the Chief Happiness Officer for the McDonald's Corporation. As the mascot2 for the company, Ronald McDonald is easily recognized by 96 percent of school children in the US. For the most part, this "spokesclown" is loved, and helps improve company recognition, which in turn, translates into increased profits.
Mascots have existed for thousands of years. Historically, they have been animals that men admired. Native American Indians carved mascots into their totem poles, hoping to attain5 a cheetah6's speed or a bear's strength. Even now, mascots are symbolic7 of the qualities we would like to possess.
For the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China has chosen mascots known as the Five Friendlies. Each of the four animals (fish, panda, antelope8, and swallow) represents a unique athletic9 ability and offers a special blessing10 from China to the world. At the center of the group stands Huanhuan the Olympic flame, representing passion for sport and the unity11 of all nations through the Olympic Games.
In sports, teams treasure their mascots and often view them as lucky charms. In business, mascots are used to attract attention and impact a customer's perception about a company. Fast-food icon Ronald McDonald can attest12 to this fact.
Recently, Taipei began searching for a mascot. Which animal would best represent this progressive capital city? With its extensive system of underground tunnels and more than two million inhabitants bustling13 through its streets, offices, and apartments, Taipei's mascot would have to be the busy, intelligent, and hardworking ant.
1. What do the mascots for the 2008 Olympic Games represent?
(A) Various athletic attributes and the spirit of the host nation.
(B) The feeling of competing against yourself to be the best.
(C) The friendly attitude of the Chinese government.
(D) The five events that will be held at the 2008 Olympics.
2. Why are mascots important in the world of business?
(A) They can help make products of better quality.
(B) They can increase sales as more people identify the company.
(C) They can make customers laugh and help them relax while watching commercials.
(D) They can provide customers with someone to speak with when they shop.
3. Which of the following would be an appropriate mascot for a soccer team?
(A) A fast-rolling ball with feet, a friendly smile, and a love for soccer.
(B) A plump hamburger-eating clown with the ability to juggle14.
(C) A smart dolphin that is swimming fast.
(D) A cute little bird that is happily chirping16.
精解字词词组
1.recognize vt. 辨认，辨识
例： It was hard to recognize him since he lost so much weight.
（他瘦了这么多，我都认不出他来了。）
2.translate into... 转化成……
例： I'd like to see how my theory would translate into a policy.
（我想看看自己的理论如何变成政策。）
3.profit n. 利益 & vi. 获益
profit from... 自……获益
例： None of us will profit from a war with that country.
（我们没有人可以从和那个国家交战中获益。）
4.be symbolic of... 象征……
例： I gave my mother 18 roses for Mother's Day. They're symbolic of my love for her.
（母亲节时我送给妈妈十八朵玫瑰，象征我对她的爱。）
5.possess vt. 拥有
例： Sandy possesses all of the skills needed to be manager, but she just isn't ready for the responsibility.
（珊蒂具备所有当经理的技能，只不过她尚未准备好承担这项责任。）
6.represent vt. 代表
= stand for...
例： The bonus represents how much the boss appreciates your hard work .
（奖金代表老板对你辛勤工作的感谢之意。）
7.blessing n. 祝福；赐福
a blessing in disguise 塞翁失马，焉知非福
例： Losing my wallet was a blessing in disguise because I married the man that found it.
（那次掉钱包实在是塞翁失马，焉知非福，因为后来我嫁给捡到钱包的男人。）
8.attract (one's) attention 引起（某人的）注意
例： Samantha did everything she could to attract Stan's attention.
（莎曼珊竭尽全力想引起史丹的注意。）
9.impact vt. 冲击，影响
例： Hurricane Katrina impacted the entire economy in the United States.
（卡翠娜飓风冲击了美国整体经济。）
10.attest to... 证明……
例： I can attest to the fact that Bill is honest.
（我可以证明比尔是个诚实的人。）
11.bustle17 vi. 匆忙；忙碌
例： Many motorcycles bustled18 through the street.
（许多机车疾驶过街道。）
12.compete against... 和……竞争
例： You shouldn't even try to compete against Robert. He's the best speaker in our class.
（你根本不该和罗伯特竞争。他是全班最强的演说者。）
13.identify vt. 认出，辨识
例： Tom is color-blind. He can't identify green and red.
（汤姆是色盲。他无法分辨绿色和红色。）
单字小铺
1. mascot n. 吉祥物
2. jumpsuit n. 连身衣
3. natural n. 天生好手
4. spokesclown n. 代言小丑
＊ 本字由 spokesperson 衍生而来。
5. recognition n. 辨认，辨识
6. historically adv. 历史上
7. totem pole n. 图腾柱
8. cheetah n. 猎豹
9. antelope n. 羚羊
10. unity n. 团结，统一
11. lucky charm n. 护身符
12. perception n. 观感，看法
13. progressive a. 进步的
14. extensive a. 广阔的
15. inhabitant n. 居民
16. attribute n. 特质
17. commercial n. 电视广告
18. plump a. 胖嘟嘟的
19. juggle vi. 杂耍
词组小铺
1. for the most part 大体而言
2. in turn 接着，依次
中文翻译＆标准答案
身穿鲜黄色连身衣，脸上涂着白漆，搭配一件红白相间的长袖衬衫，他可不是什么新的流行偶像。他闪亮的红发、红鼻子和红嘴巴作为麦当劳企业的亲善大使形象可说是恰如其份。美国百分之九十六的学童可以轻易认出麦当劳叔叔（Ronald McDonald）。大致上说来，这位代言小丑受到大家的喜爱，有助于提升企业辨识度，因而转化成更高利润。
吉祥物已经存在好几千年。在历史上，他们是人们所崇拜的动物。美国印地安人将吉祥物雕刻到图腾柱上，希望能拥有猎豹的速度和熊的力量。即使现在，吉祥物仍旧象征我们希望拥有的特质。
2008年的奥运即将在北京举办，中国选择了五个福娃作为吉祥物。这四种动物（鱼、熊猫、羚羊和燕子）各自代表运动员独特的运动能力，并献上中国对全世界的祝福。在福娃群正中间站的是名叫『欢欢』的奥林匹克圣火，代表对运动的热情和全世界借着奥运达到的大同境界。
在运动中，运动队伍很珍惜自己的吉祥物并将其视为幸运符。在企业中，吉祥物被用来吸引注意力并影响消费者对一家公司的观感。麦当劳叔叔这位快餐偶像即印证了这个事实。
近来，台北市开始在寻找吉祥物。哪种动物最能代表这个蓬勃发展的首都呢？有着广大的地下隧道，以及两百多万名居民在街道、办公室和公寓间忙碌穿梭，台北市的吉祥物或许可以用忙碌、聪明和勤劳的蚂蚁来代表吧。
1. 2008 年奥运的吉祥物代表着什么？
(A) 各种运动特质和主办国的精神。
(B) 要胜过自己达到最好的感觉。
(C) 中国政府友善的态度。
(D) 2008 年奥运所要举行的五个项目。
题解： 文中第三段提到 2008 年在中国举办的奥运吉祥物，四个福娃代表了运动员的体能特质，并表示中国对全世界的祝福，可知 (A) 应为正选。
2. 为何吉祥物对企业很重要？
(A) 他们有助于制造质量更好的产品。
(B) 愈多人认出该公司，公司的销售量就会随着增加。
(C) 它们让顾客在看广告时开心并且帮助放松。
(D) 它们可以作为顾客在购物时的聊天对象。
题解： 文中第一段说被提升的企业辨识度可以转化成更高的利润，可知 (B) 应为正选。
3. 以下何者适合作为足球队的吉祥物？
(A) 一个长着脚快速旋转的球，面带友善的笑容和对足球的热爱。
(B) 一个会杂耍、吃着汉堡的胖小丑。
(C) 一只游得很快的聪明海豚。
(D) 一只快乐啾啾叫的可爱小鸟。
题解： 热爱足球的球最适合作为足球队的吉祥物，故选 (A) 。
标准答案： 1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (A)
收听单词发音 |
1
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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2
mascot
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| n.福神，吉祥的东西 | |
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3
mascots
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| n.吉祥物( mascot的名词复数 ) | |
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4
icon
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| n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像 | |
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5
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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6
cheetah
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| n.(动物)猎豹 | |
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7
symbolic
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| adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的 | |
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8
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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9
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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10
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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11
unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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12
attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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13
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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14
juggle
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| v.变戏法，纂改，欺骗，同时做；n.玩杂耍，纂改，花招 | |
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15
chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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16
chirping
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
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17
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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18
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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