At the end of last week, Bodega Aurrer, a Mexican subsidiary of the world s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, opened a new store in the village of San Juan Teotihuacn, just north of Mexico City. Normally, such an event would cause little stir. Wal-Mart is already Mexico s biggest retailer too. And its shops seem to go down very well with its millions of bargain-hungry customers. But this particular opening was, in fact, the culmination of months of protests, legal actions, hunger strikes and hyperbole by those determined to stop it. The reason is the location. Just 2.5km away is the ancient city of Teotihuacn, probably Mexico s most famous archaeological site. Amongst other attractions, it boasts the third-largest pyramid in the world. For many Mexicans, the ancient site, abandoned by its mysterious inhabitants centuries before the Spanish conquerors arrived, remains the ultimate symbol of Mexican identity and nationhood. Thousands troop up to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun to celebrate the summer solstice. To them, the idea of having a Wal-Mart next door is abhorrent. In the words of Homero Aridjis, a writer and one of the leading opponents, it is like driving the stake of globalisation into the heart of old Mexico. The controversy is only the latest in a string of protesters attempts to save Mexican culture from what they see as a creeping menace. They won a famous victory by blocking a McDonalds restaurant from opening in the main square of the pretty southern colonial town of Oaxaca. But this time they were on much thinner ground. For a start, Wal-Mart went through all the appropriate regulatory hoops, even getting permission from the Paris-based International Council on Monuments and Sites, which judged that the store would cause no harm to the nearby ruins. A small stone platform was indeed found during construction of the new car park, but was preserved. Just as importantly, the claim that the new store spoils the famous view from the top of the Pyramid of the Sun is clearly bogus, as anyone who cares to get to the top can testify. The problem is not so much that you can see the Wal-Mart, but one of trying to distinguish it from the 30-odd other ugly, squat buildings that litter the surrounding countrysideto say nothing of the car parks, the electricity pylons and the large power station. Sadly, unrestricted building long ago ruined this particular view, as well as many others in Mexico. To the diehards, the issue counts more than the view. But neither mattered much to the hundreds of locals who queued up for the opening, delighted to be freed of the small and expensive local shops. Despite a legal case pending against Wal-Mart and local officials, brought by an irate local left-wing politician, this is one battle that the American retailer has probably won. 1. Why the opening of Wal-Mart caused stir? [A]Wal-Mart would have severe competition with the local stores. [B]War-Mart would provide them with a larger choice and more benefits. [C]It was said to have ruined the scene of the ancient site. [D]There shouldnt be a store near the ancient site. 2. From Paragraph 2 we can infer that _________. [A]the ancient city means a lot to the Mexicans [B]a store will be too noisy for the ancient city [C]the ancient city is very mysterious [D]the pyramid is a good place for holding big ceremony 3. According to Wal-Mart, it has a good reason to build store there because _______. [A]it proves no harm to the nearby ruins [B]the scene of the ancient sites has been damaged [C]customers want to buy some cheap products [D]it has been widely accepted by the customers there. 4. It can be learned from Paragraph 5 that _________. [A]the famous view is not as good as it used to be [B]the city lacks planning in building [C]the ancient site is littered with ugly buildings [D]Wal-Mart shouldnt be fully responsible for the ruined view. 5. Toward the fate of Wal-Mart, the writers attitude can be said to be _________. [A]objective [B]optimistic [C]pessimistic [D]biased 答案:CADDB
国内英语资讯:Chinas Hong Kong rejects British report for interfering in HKSARs internal affairs
体坛英语资讯:Wang Shuang can be the key, says German coach
国际英语资讯:Putin says efforts to modernize Russian economy evident this year
国内英语资讯:Employment rate of Chinese vocational graduates exceeds 90 percent: report
国内英语资讯:Li Keqiang meets PM of Sao Tome and Principe
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Wang Qiang into third round at Miami Open
体坛英语资讯:Namibia to host first Mini-Basketball Convention
国际英语资讯:Thailand gears up for 34th ASEAN Summit
国际英语资讯:EU publishes strategic agenda for next 5 years
美国人觉得英国哪些方面很奇怪
体坛英语资讯:Neymar to miss Copa America
国际英语资讯:Ireland, globally recognized centre for specialist intl financial services: minister
男朋友经常不回消息,怎么办?给你条建议……
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Wang Xinyu bows out in first round of Miami Open
国际英语资讯:UN chief regrets some countries apathy toward refugees
国际英语资讯:Tunisian PM meets UN chief ahead of AL Summit
国内英语资讯:Chinas Terracotta Warriors propel Liverpool museum to Englands most visited outside Lond
娱乐英语资讯:U.S. prosecutors drop charges against actor Jussie Smollett, stirring controversy
微软删除全球最大的人脸识别数据库
国际英语资讯:Egypt court sentences 30 men up to 25 years in jail over terror charges
国际英语资讯:U.S. appeals court allows Trumps abortion rules to take effect
体坛英语资讯:12th Lake Balation Supermarathon kicks off in Hungary
国际英语资讯:UN conference in Cairo aims at land, water protection
国内英语资讯:Chinese Americans in San Francisco vow to enhance mutual understanding between China, U.S.
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Tibet marks 60th anniversary of democratic reform
国际英语资讯:Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Somalia
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Xi, Kim agree to jointly create bright future of bilateral ties
国际英语资讯:Israeli army says prepared for expected Palestinian rallies on Gaza border
国际英语资讯:Syrias air defenses respond to Israeli airstrike in Aleppo countryside
只是学了几句手语,现在我哭成了泪人儿!
| 不限 |
| 英语教案 |
| 英语课件 |
| 英语试题 |
| 不限 |
| 不限 |
| 上册 |
| 下册 |
| 不限 |