We grew up with the familiar toy bricks (積木) that gave us the imagination to build towers and castles. Generations have been attracted by this toy that lets children and adults alike create anything and everything. But with over 200 millions sets being sold a year in over 100 countries, the question remains — where did Lego actually come from?
Lego was born from the creative mind of Danish carpenter (木匠), Ole Kirk Christiansen, back in the early 1930s. He established a small business in Denmark. He and his team built a variety of household goods like ironing boards along with wooden toys. The Lego name was adopted in 1934, formed from the Danish words “Leg Godt” or “play well”, which means “I study” or “I put together” in Latin.
Christiansen’s company continued to make wooden toys until 1942 when fire struck — the entire Lego factory burned to the ground. Unwilling to give in, the factory was rebuilt and the production line restarted soon after. By 1954, Christiansen’s son, Godtfred, had become the junior managing director of the Lego Group. It was during his conversation with an overseas buyer that he was struck by the idea of a toy system.
For over 30 years, the Lego Company made only toys and related goods. Then, in 1968, the company opened its first Legoland in Denmark. Combining the Lego building bricks with a computer, the Robotics Invention System 1.5 is now the most advanced toy in the Lego Company, which is targeted at users aged twelve and above, and that includes any parents or grandparents that want to join in.
Now the Lego Company is expanding its production lines to include lights, cameras and so on. Lego Company has done a lot to entertain many children around the world.
【1】The author presents the text by ________.
A. telling an interesting story
B. showing the process in different stages
C. introducing a practical method
D. describing many different activities
【2】Which of the following is NOT true about the Robotics Invention System 1.5?
A. It is the most advanced toy in the Lego Company.
B. It combines the Lego building bricks with a computer.
C. It is intended for users aged twelve and above.
D. It is the most expensive toy invented since 1968.
【3】What is the correct order of the following events in the development of Lego?
a. The entire Lego factory burned to the ground.
b. The company and its products adopted the name Lego.
c. The company opened its first Legoland in Denmark.
d. Godtfred had become the junior managing director of the Lego Group.
A. cadb B. cbad C. abcd D. badc
【4】What can we learn from the text?
A. The Lego Company expands its production lines with computers.
B. The author thinks highly of Lego, which entertains many children.
C. The name Lego means “I put together” in the Danish language.
D. Lego enjoys the greatest popularity among children of 12.
