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 solution to carbon dioxide under high pressure, creating tiny bubbles of gas inside the candy after the liquid is cooled. When the candy is eaten and the saliva dissolves it, the bubbles burst instantly, resulting in a 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 discontinue the 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 of the 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 to bring the candy back to the market. This turned out 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 name and regained its popularity, but Pop Rocks are also now available in a variety of flavors in all parts of the world.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock 照片：Shutterstock 提供
(A) declining
(B) soar
(C) rumor
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock 照片：Shutterstock 提供
(D) launch
(E) purchased
(F) sensation
(G) totaled
(H) convince
(I) licensed
(J) exposing
被稱為跳跳糖的獨特美式糖果的故事很引人入勝。這種似乎會在人們嘴裡「爆炸」的小硬糖塊是在1956年由威廉．米切爾發明出來的，他是在通用食品公司工作的化學家。製作過程需要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。當這種糖果被吃進嘴裡且被唾液融化後，氣泡會立刻爆炸，在嘴巴裡製造出啵啵的感覺。
儘管跳跳糖於1956年被發明，但該公司耗時整整二十年的時間才正式推出該款糖果。一市，跳跳糖就大受小朋友歡迎。單單第一年，銷售總額就達到一億多美元。然而，跳跳糖的大成功沒有持續太久。在1982年，通用食品公司因為逐漸減少的銷售量而決定將該產品停產。驟跌的收益歸因於一些因素，其中包含一個跳跳糖若與汽水混合會導致胃爆炸的謠言，以及跳跳糖本身相對短的保存期限。儘管該公司持續努力說服大眾該糖果很安全，但恐懼仍在全美的學校和家長團體之間蔓延開來，導致銷售量暴跌。
跳跳糖的生產停止之後幾年，卡夫食品買下了其配方和版權，決心要讓該糖果重返市場。結果這是一個聰明的決定和投資。多虧針對該糖果安全性的澄清聲明以及更長的有效期限，銷售量很快開始再次飆升。卡夫食品接著授權給 Zeta Espacial S.A. 來管理國際生產和配銷。跳跳糖不只洗刷汙名並重新流行起來，如今在世界各地也能買到各種口味的跳跳糖。
答案：
1. J
2. F
3. D
4. G
5. A
6. C
7. H
8. E
9. B
10. I
Word in Use
1. intriguing a. 引人入勝的
Many readers find Harry Potter intriguing due to the magical elements.
許多讀者因魔法元素而覺得《哈利波特》很引人入勝。
2. dissolve vt. 使融化
Trista waited until the water dissolved the vitamin tablet to drink the liquid.
翠斯塔一直等水融化了維他命片才喝了那些水。
3. burst vi. 爆炸，破裂（三態同形）
Keep the balloons away from sharp things, or they’ll burst.
讓這些氣球遠離尖銳的物品，不然它們會爆掉。
4. revenue n. 收益
Our new online shop boosted revenue.
我們新的網路商店讓收益增加了。
5. attribute vt. 把……歸因於
attribute A to B 把 A 歸因於 B
The recent economic growth can be attributed to the government’s new policy.
最近的經濟成長可被歸因為政府的新政策。
Practical Phrases
1. result in sth 造成∕導致某事
Ignoring traffic rules can result in accidents.
忽視交通規則可能會造成意外事故。
2. hit the market 上市
The designer’s latest collection is set to hit the market next month.
該設計師的一系列新裝作品預計下個月上市。
3. regardless of N 儘管……
We managed to complete the report, regardless of the tight deadline.
儘管期限緊迫，我們還是完成了該份報告。
4. be determined to V 決心要（做）……
Amber was determined to impress those who looked down on her by creating a successful business.
安柏決心透過成功創業讓看不起她的人對她刮目相看。
5. clear one’s name 洗刷汙名，還人清白
The actress denied the rumors and hired a lawyer to help her clear her name.
該女演員否認那些謠言，並聘請律師為她洗刷汙名。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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