The story of the unique American candy called Pop Rocks is intriguing. The small, hard bits of candy that seem to “explode” in people’s mouths were invented in 1956 by William A. Mitchell, a chemist who worked for General Foods. The production process involves __1__ a sugar solutionto carbon dioxideunder highpressure, creating tiny bubbles of gas inside the candy after the liquid is cooled. When the candy is eaten and the salivadissolves it, the bubbles burst instantly, resulting ina popping __2__ in the mouth.
Despite its invention in 1956, it took the company a full two decades to officially __3__ Pop Rocks. Upon hitting the market, Pop Rocks became a huge hit among kids.In the first year alone, sales __4__ more than US$100 million. However, the massive success of Pop Rocks didn’t last long. In 1982, General Foods made the decision to discontinuethe product due to __5__ sales. The dramatic drop in revenue was attributed to a number of factors, including a __6__ that Pop Rocks could cause the stomach to explode if mixed with soda, along with its relatively short shelf life. Regardless ofthe company’s relentless effort to __7__ the public of the candy’s safety, the fear spread through schools and parent groups across the US, causing sales to plummet.
A few years after the production of Pop Rocks was halted, Kraft Foods __8__ the recipe and rights and was determined tobring the candy back to the market. This turnedout to be a wise decision and investment. Sales soon started to __9__ once again thanks to clarifying statements about the candy’s safety and longer expiration dates. Kraft Foods then __10__ Zeta Espacial S.A. to manage international production and distribution. Not only has the candy cleared its nameand regainedits popularity, but Pop Rocks are also now available in a variety of flavors in all parts of the world.
The story of the unique American candy called Pop Rocks is intriguing. The small, hard bits of candy that seem to “explode” in people’s mouths were invented in 1956 by William A. Mitchell, a chemist who worked for General Foods. The production process involves exposing a sugar solutionto carbon dioxideunder highpressure, creating tiny bubbles of gas inside the candy after the liquid is cooled. When the candy is eaten and the salivadissolves it, the bubbles burst instantly, resulting ina popping sensation in the mouth.
Despite its invention in 1956, it took the company a full two decades to officially launch Pop Rocks. Upon hitting the market, Pop Rocks became a huge hit among kids.In the first year alone, sales totaled more than US$100 million. However, the massive success of Pop Rocks didn’t last long. In 1982, General Foods made the decision to discontinuethe product due to declining sales. The dramatic drop in revenue was attributed to a number of factors, including a rumor that Pop Rocks could cause the stomach to explode if mixed with soda, along with its relatively short shelf life. Regardless ofthe company’s relentless effort to convince the public of the candy’s safety, the fear spread through schools and parent groups across the US, causing sales to plummet.
A few years after the production of Pop Rocks was halted, Kraft Foods purchased the recipe and rights and was determined tobring the candy back to the market. This turnedout to be a wise decision and investment. Sales soon started to soar once again thanks to clarifying statements about the candy’s safety and longer expiration dates. Kraft Foods then licensed Zeta Espacial S.A. to manage international production and distribution. Not only has the candy cleared its nameand regainedits popularity, but Pop Rocks are also now available in a variety of flavors in all parts of the world.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
clear
[klɪr]
adv. 清楚地
adj. 清澈的；晴朗的；清楚的
vt. 清理
=
clean
The water is so clear that I can see fish swimming around.
水好清澈，我可以看到魚兒游來游去。
The sky was clear after a thunderstorm.
大雷雨過後，天空晴朗無雲。
Ben has a clear plan for his future career.
班對未來的職業有明確的計畫。
Clear the dishes from the table after you’ve finished.
你吃完以後，把桌上的碗盤收拾乾淨。
I can hear your voice loud and clear.
我可以清楚地聽到你的聲音。
高中 Level 1
●
intriguing
[ɪnˈtrigɪŋ]
adj. 迷人的，令人好奇的
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
dissolve
[dɪˋzɑlv]
vt. & vi. 溶解
Dissolve the tablets in warm water before you take them. 把藥片投入溫水中溶解後再服用。
The instant coffee powder didn’t completely dissolve because the water was not hot enough.
因為水溫不夠高，即溶咖啡粉末並未完全溶解。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
burst
[bɝst]
vt. & vi. （使）爆破 / 炸
n. 爆破 / 炸，噴；（感情）爆發
三態
burst / burst [bɝst] / burst [bɝst]
The little boy used a needle to burst the balloon.
小男孩用一根針刺破氣球。
Melissa burst out crying when she heard about the accident.
梅莉莎聽到關於這個意外的消息就大哭了起來。
Melissa burst into tears when she heard about the accident.
梅莉莎聽到關於這個意外的消息就大哭了起來。
We could hear the bomb burst in the distance.
我們可以聽到遠處炸彈爆炸的聲響。
Do you know what caused the burst of water?
你知道造成水噴出來的原因嗎？
Tommy gave a loud burst of laughter when he heard my joke.
湯米聽到我講的笑話就放聲大笑。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
revenue
[ˋrɛvə͵nju]
n. （政府）稅收；（公司）收入
The government has a huge need for tax revenue.
政府有強大的稅收需求。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
attribute
[əˋtrɪbjʊt]
vt. 將……歸因於
Terry attributes his success to hard work and a little bit of luck.
泰瑞將他的成功歸因於努力以及一絲運氣。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
relentless
[rɪˋlɛntlɪs]
a. . 不間斷的（= endless）；不屈不撓的
Conrad’s severe headache was relentless―it never
went away and seemed to get worse by the hour.
康拉德的頭一直很痛 ── 這頭痛從未消失過，而且似乎一
直越來越痛。
Despite the heavy rain and cold, Roger was relentless, climbing higher and higher up the steep
mountain.
儘管下大雨且又很冷，羅傑還是不屈不撓，不斷攀爬著這座
陡峭的山。
高中 Level 6
●
halt
[hɔlt]
a. 磁的；磁性的；有吸引力的
n. 暫停，停止
vt. & vi. （使）停止，暫停
The project came to a halt when we ran out of money.
我們錢用完時，計畫也就停頓了。
The children halted when they saw a big dog.
孩子們看到一隻大狗時便停止行進。
We have to halt production at the factory because the payment issue has not been settled.
我們必須停止工廠的生產，因為錢的事尚未解決。
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
investment
[ɪnˋvɛstmənt]
n. 投資
Ryan lost a lot of money by making a poor investment in that lousy company.
萊恩在那家爛公司做了不好的投資，損失了不少錢。
My father is going to buy some gold as an investment.
我爸爸準備購買一些黃金作為投資。
高中 Level 4
●
clarify
[ˋklærə͵faɪ]
vt. 澄清，說明
三態
clarify / clarified / clarified
=
explain
The teacher asked the student to clarify what he meant.
這名老師請學生說明清楚他的意思。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
distribution
[͵dɪstrəˋbjuʃən]
n. 分配；分布
=
delivery
=
circulation
The distribution of wealth is uneven in that country.
該國財富分配不均。
That magazine enjoys a widedistribution.
那本雜誌的發行遍及各地。
That magazine enjoys a widecirculation.
那本雜誌的發行遍及各地。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
chemist
[ˋkɛmɪst]
n. . 化學家
That chemist is working on a new experiment.
那位化學家正在進行一項新實驗。
高中 Level 5
●
solution
[səˋluʃən]
n. 解決辦法；答案；溶液
The solution to the conflict between the two nations has yet to be found.
該兩國間衝突的解決之道仍有待探求。
The solutions to the puzzles are at the back of the
book.
這些謎語的答案在書的最後面。
The answers to the puzzles are at the back of the book.
這些謎語的答案在書的最後面。
Whenever I have a sore throat, my mom asks me to clean my throat with a salt solution.
每當我喉嚨痛時，我媽都要我用鹽水清潔我的喉嚨。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
saliva
[səˋlaɪvə]
n. 口水，唾液
●
discontinue
[͵dɪskənˋtɪnju]
vt. 停止，終止
The Sunday paper discontinued my favorite comic strip.
這份報紙週日版停止刊印我最喜歡的連環漫畫。
●
plummet
[ˋplʌmɪt]
vi. 驟降，暴跌
After the two countries declared war on each
other, their stock markets plummeted.
那兩國彼此宣戰後，他們的股市便暴跌。
●
regain
[rɪˋgen]
vt. 恢復；重新獲得
The prisoners of warregainedtheir freedom when the war ended.
這些戰俘在戰爭結束時重獲自由。
多益藍色
英檢中高
Practical Phrases
●
result in...
引起 / 導致……
= contribute to
= lead to
= give rise to
Sometimes, hesitation can result in missed opportunities.
有時候，猶豫不決會造成錯失良機。
●
hit the market
上市
The brand announced that its new product would hit the market in May.
該品牌宣布新產品將於五月上市。
●
regardless of
不論……、無論、儘管
Everyone is required to attend the meeting regardless of the typhoon. 儘管有颱風，每個人還是被要求出席會議。
●
be determined to V
專心致志於...... / 下定決心做⋯⋯
= be intent on / upon + N/V-ing
Henry is determined to go abroad to further his studies.
亨利已下定決心要出國深造。
●
clear one’s name
洗刷汙名，還人清白
●
a shelf life
（食品的）保存期（限）
This kind of cookie usually has a shelf life of six months.
這種餅乾的保存期通常是 6 個月。
●
an expiration date
保存期限
To be on the safe side, always check the expiration date on the food package before you buy it.
為了保險起見，買東西前都要先查看一下食物包裝上的保存 期限。
1. The production process involves exposing a sugar solution to carbon dioxide under high pressure, creating tiny bubbles of gas inside the candy after the liquid is cooled.
理由
a.空格前有及物動詞 involves(包含)，而空格後有 名詞詞組 a sugar solution(糖液)，故知空格應 置入及物動詞的動名詞形。
b. 選項中有 (A) declining 及 (J) exposing 符合條 件，本句旨在介紹跳跳糖的製作過程，可知讓糖液 在高壓下「暴露於」二氧化碳之中，這樣等該液體 冷卻後，就會在糖果內產生小氣泡，故答案應選 (J)，置入後亦符合 “expose A to B” 的用法。
2. When the candy is eaten and the saliva dissolves it, the bubbles burst instantly, resulting in a popping sensation in the mouth.
理由
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a 以及形容詞 popping(發出 啵啵聲響的)，而空格後有介詞 in，故知空格應置 入單數可數名詞以被 popping 修飾。
