A
Some successful brands are memorable for their creativity. They convey accurate information to us. However, some of these origins are very interesting.
Google
The world’s largest search engine has developed a brand. Its founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin knew their company’s potential when they were freshmen at Stanford. The original plan was to name it “googol”, which meant “a huge number”, but Larry Page misspelled it as “Google”. Both the site and the company registered “Google”. However, this error distinguishes “Google” from other search engines.
McDonald’s
The original name came from the last name of the inventors: Maurice “Mac” and Richard “Dick” McDonald. Before 1940, they owned and operated a successful restaurant, but once World War II was over, they decided to try a new system to reduce the time people spent waiting for their food. So the first McDonald’s opened in 1948. Over time, their simple and bright colors have made it one of the most recognizable symbols on the earth.
Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf, founder of the Rolex brand, says he wants a short watch name to pronounce easily. After combining all the letters and coming up with 100 possible names, none of them fit the bill. But a trip on a horse-drawn ride changed the fate of his company, because a “genius”, as he called it, whispered the word “Rolex” into his ear.
IKEA
Founded in 1943, IKEA went from selling all kinds of objects to becoming the benchmark of Swedish creativity worldwide with its furniture and facilitates packaging. The word IKEA is a combination of the first letters of founder’s first name and last name: Ingvar Kamprad, the farm where he grew up: Elmtaryd, and the town in southern Sweden where it was located: Agunnaryd.
1. What contributed to the brand “Google”?
A. The company’s plan. B. Larry Page’s mistake.
C. The company’s potential. D. Sergey Brin’s creation.
2. What was the original intention of McDonald’s?
A. To earn more money.
B. To create simple and bright colors.
C. To offer convenience for customers.
D. To expand the business to the world.
3. Which brand has something to do with the founder’s hometown?
A. Google. B. McDonald’s. C. Rolex. D. IKEA.
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. D
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一些成功品牌名的有趣起源。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。由第二段第三句“The original plan was to name it “googol”, which meant “a huge number”, but Larry Page misspelled it as “Google”.”（最初的计划是把它命名为“googol”，意思是“一个巨大的数字”，但是Larry Page把它错拼成“Google”。）可知，Larry Page和Sergey Brin最初的计划是将其命名为“googol”，但Larry Page错误地将其拼写为“Google”。故选B项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。由第三段第二句“Before 1940, they owned and operated a successful restaurant, but once World War II was over, they decided to try a new system to reduce the time people spent waiting for their food.”（在1940年以前，他们拥有并经营着一家成功的餐馆，但是当第二次世界大战结束后，他们决定尝试一种新的系统来减少人们等待食物的时间。）可知，创设麦当劳的初衷是为顾客提供便利，减少人们等待食物的时间。故选C项。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。由最后一句中的“The word IKEA is a combination of the first letters of founder’s first name and last name: Ingvar Kamprad, the farm where he grew up: Elmtaryd, and the town in southern Sweden where it was located: Agunnaryd.”（IKEA这个词由创始人的名字和姓氏的首字母组合而成：Ingvar Kamprad，他成长的农场：Elmtaryd，以及它所在的瑞典南部城镇：Agunnaryd。）可知，IKEA的创始人Ingvar Kamprad把自己的名字以及家乡名的首字母组合在一起形成了品牌名“IKEA”。故选D项。
