Question

A new retail phenomenon from Japan which allows customers to walk away with free products is to launch in Britain. From tomorrow, visitors to SampleTrend’s central London store can try anything on its shelves, and all of the products can be taken home without charge.

For an annual membership fee of £60，users are free to enter the shop once a month and help themselves to no less than £250 worth of goods every year. The only ‘catch’ is that shoppers are asked to complete a simple questionnaire about each product they try. Known as ‘try-vertising’，the concept allows manufacturers to test products and receive consumer feedback(反馈）before launching onto the open market. It is already a sensation in Japan and now looks set to transform the fortunes of the embattled UK retail industry. If everything goes well, countries such as Germany and France will give it a try. According to new figures, stores are facing a Christmas crisis with the weakest high street trading for six months. Michael Ghosh, the founder behind SampleTrend, said, “The concept behind SampleTrend is unique in the UK. It allows shoppers the opportunity to walk away with a number of real, full-size products of their choosing without handing over a penny.” The concept of in-store try-vertising is simple but effective. Businesses across all sectors from cosmetic manufacturers to beverage makers, place new products on the shelves at SampleTrend and wait for consumers to try them out.

Customers complete a short 10-point questionnaire about the product. The feedback they provide is used to make any finishing touches before the product is brought officially to market. The SampleTrend store stocks everything from cosmetics, food and drink, and household goods. Ghosh, the former advertising and sales director for Disney Europe, said such feedback may also build brand loyalty from the outset— a particularly appealing prospect for new businesses.

1.The most attractive part of the idea for customers is that_____.

A. they only pay £60 for a life-long membership

B. they can help to make the products better

C. it won’t take much time to finish the questionnaire

D. they can take things home without paying for them

2.The idea of ‘try-vertising’ originates from_____.

A. Germany   B. Britain    C. Japan    D. France

3.The purpose of ‘try-vertising’ is to_____.

A. get feedback for their new products

B. sell more products at Christmas time

C. encourage people to buy more products

D. give customers free products as gifts

4.What does Michael Ghosh think of this business idea?

A. Puzzling.    B. Unpractical.

C. Promising.   D. Surprising.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.C

【解析】

试题分析: 日本的新式零售模式将进军英国,按照这一模式,顾客可以免费拿走商品。

1. D细节理解题。 根据短文第一段which allows customers to walk away with free products is to launch in Britain 来自日本的新的零售模式登陆英国，它允许客户免费带走商品。故选D项。

2.C推理判断题。 根据短文第二段It is already a sensation in Japan 这一零售模式在日本已经轰动一时。由此推断‘try-vertising这一理念源于日本。故选C项。

3.A推理判断题。根据短文第二段the concept allows manufacturers to test products and receive consumer feedback(反馈）before launching onto the open market.可知，这一理念使制造商在产品上市之前能测试产品并收到顾客反馈。所以选A项。

4.C推理判断题。根据短文第三段Ghosh 说such feedback may also build brand loyalty from the outset— a particularly appealing prospect for new businesses. 这样的反馈也许从一开始就能建立品牌忠诚度—这是对新企业特别有吸引力的前景。故选C项。

考点：报道类短文阅读。