2007年VOA标准英语-7-Eleven promotes The Simpsons Movie

By Rebecca Ward¹
Washington, D.C.
17 July 2007
 

They are not exactly the typical American family. But after nearly 20 years on television, the dysfunctional animated² family The Simpsons is making its big screen debut³. To promote the film, 12 7-Eleven convenience stores in the U.S. have been transformed into the fictional⁴ Kwik-E-Mart made famous on the show. VOA's Rebecca Ward has a whimsical look at this unique movie promotion⁵.

The cartoon Kwik-E-Mart

Don't adjust your sets. You can see a real-life Kwik-E-Mart -- if only temporarily. We are not in the Simpson's hometown of Springfield, though. A convenience store -- usually called  7-Eleven -- is actually in Bladensburg, Maryland just outside Washington. Nevertheless, Apu will gladly sell you a bag of "Sprinkilicious" donuts.

"I like The Simpsons," said a woman customer. “But I heard about it from my uncle and he said there was one in Bladensburg, so, I thought I would check it out.”

Business is always brisk⁶ at convenience stores. Where else can you find fresh bread, milk, cat food and iced drinks? But 7-Eleven District Manager Joy Pico says, lately, business has been brisker⁷ than usual.

The 7-Eleven Kwik-E-Marts sell Frosted KrustyO's

"It's a very successful program,” says Pico. “Customers, especially in the afternoon, the traffic has increased tremendously. They're wrapped all around the store and we're just all trying to have some fun here."

Somehow, I think Homer Simpson would approve. And not just because of the donuts.

The Simpsons is the longest-running, animated, primetime television show in the United States. So after 18 years, Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa and Maggie finally hit the big time.

Official movie donuts are also available

The Simpsons Movie opens in the U.S. later this month.

You may think all this hype about a cartoon show is a little sophomoric⁸. Okay, maybe it is. But there is a little Bart - or even Homer - in all of us.

"I tried one of the donuts and I'm going to drink one of the colas,” says a customer. “And if we could get some Duff beer, I'd try that too."

D'oh - there may not be any Duff Beer. But there are donuts. MMMMMmmmm, Donuts.

1 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

2 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

3 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

4 fictional   

adj.小说的，虚构的

参考例句：

• The names of the shops are entirely fictional.那些商店的名字完全是虚构的。
• The two authors represent the opposite poles of fictional genius.这两位作者代表了天才小说家两个极端。

5 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

6 brisk   

adj.轻快的，生气勃勃的，（天气等）令人振作的

参考例句：

• The actress is walking at a brisk pace.那位女演员正以轻快的步伐走着。
• It's great to work outdoors during brisk fall days.清爽的秋日里在户外工作是很愉快的。

7 brisker   

adj.快的( brisk的比较级 )；轻快的；爽快而清新的；兴隆的

参考例句：

• The market is becoming brisker day by day. 市场日趋繁荣。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Competition on the restaurant scene however is a lot brisker. 然而，餐馆里的竞争是激烈的。 来自互联网

8 sophomoric   

adj.一知半解的；大学或四年制中学的二年级的

参考例句：

• Do you really believe that sophomoric argument?你当真相信那种幼稚可笑的论点吗？
• As a sophomoric student,it's very happy for me to receive invitation.作为一个二年级的学生，能收到邀请，我自然感到特别开心。