With her tiny waist, stick thin legs and petite frame, the Barbie doll has been accused of promoting an unhealthy body image for over five decades. But now, in her biggest update since 1959, it's out with the skeletal frame and thigh gap, and in with the curvy hips and thighs as the company has revealed three new body types for the dolls to reflect a "broader view of beauty". Mattel, the creator of the toys, said the new range—which also boasts seven different skin tones—was designed to promote a healthy and realistic body image and would better reflect the diversity of those who play with the dolls. Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer of Mattel, said: "For more than 55 years, Barbie has been a global, cultural icon and a source of inspiration and imagination to millions of girls around the world. Barbie reflects the world girls see around them. Her ability to evolve and grow with the times, while staying true to her spirit, is central to why Barbie is the number one fashion doll in the world." The embracing of different body types was welcomed by several charities who champion healthy body image and assist those who struggle with eating disorders, which research shows are exacerbated by exposure to unrealistic body types. In July 2015, research found that children in the UK as young as eight were reporting body dissatisfaction and that almost 40% of 14-year-old girls were admitting to regular dieting. Andrew Radford, the chief executive of eating disorder charity Beat, said he was delighted Mattel had introduced more diversity to the Barbie range. "For a long time Beat has campaigned against the constant portrayal of a very slender look as the only aspirational ideal for young people," he said. " If a generation is to grow up with a robust sense of their self worth we must challenge this. To more truly reflect the diversity of shapes, sizes and culture of mankind is a welcome initiative, especially in a range that generations of young girls have identified with since its birth." Liam Preston, spokesman for the YMCA's Be Real campaign, which works with schools and corporations, said it was about time that companies accepted responsibility for the images that they projected onto young girls and teenagers. Speaking to the Telegraph, Tania Missad, Mattel' s director of global brand insight, also said they were expecting some criticism that the new dolls " haven't gone far enough, or people who ask what's next, question our commitment to this". She added:" Barbie is a lightning rod for conversation, and of course there will be a backlash. "

单选题 The first paragraph mainly discusses

单选题 It is indicated in Paragraphs 2 and 3 that the fashion doll is intended to

单选题 The word "exacerbated" (Para. 4) most probably means

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】解析：(1)根据题干关键词定位至第4段。(2)从构词来看，前缀ex加强语气，词根acer含义为“苦涩”(bitter)。(3)从语境来看，“慈善组织欢迎芭比的新设计”(第4段：was welcomed)，“由于它们支持健康的外形”(第4段：champion)，“它们帮助那些有饮食疾病的人”(第4段：dieting disorders)。“研究表明，由于受到不良体形的影响，疾病exacerbated”。从字句间的因果关系分析，“芭比过去的形象对人们产生了不良影响，使得某些人的病症‘加重’了”。据此，选项[A]正确。

单选题 It can be inferred from the remarks of Andrew Radford and Liam Preston that Barbie dolls

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】解析：(1)根据题干关键词Andrew Radford和Liam Preston定位至第5、6段。解题需要找出这两人的共同观点。(2)根据Andrew Radford的观点，“一直以来，比特始终反对不断把身材塑造成纤纤细腰是年轻人的唯一志向和高远理想的做法。”(第5段： aspirational ideal)，“年轻人的自我价值观会受到影响”(第5段：self worth)。“芭比现在的改变肯定会受到欢迎”。(3)根据Liam Preston观点，“给年轻人注入的形象，公司应该负有责任”(第6段：images，projected)。根据这些内容可知，芭比玩偶的确对年轻人的价值观造成了影响。故选项[B]正确。