Labubu：中国创新引领全球玩具潮流

Labubu: A Global Toy Sensation Fueled by Chinese Innovation

七级 易| 267词

刘立军供稿

Part I. Passage

On July 5, 2024, a woman took a selfie with art toys at a new Pop Mart offline store in Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing the global craze for Labubu. This Chinese toy, part of Pop Mart’s ‘Monster’ intellectual property (IP), has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique charm and design.

Labubu, featuring long ears and sharp teeth, challenges traditional beauty standards and has become a collector’s treasure. Cities like Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, and Bangkok see long queues for new releases, while limited editions like Singapore’s Merbubu sell out instantly.

Pop Mart began its global expansion in 2018, opening its first overseas store in Seoul in 2020. By the end of 2024, the company had over 500 stores in more than 30 countries, supported by e-commerce platforms reaching 90+ nations. Notably, a mint-colored Labubu auctioned in Beijing fetched 1.08 million yuan ($150,000), highlighting its art market appeal.

Pop Mart’s success stems from China’s manufacturing prowess, with Dongguan serving as a major hub. AI-driven smart manufacturing accelerates production and boosts global competitiveness. Labubu’s creator, Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, collaborated with Pop Mart, elevating the brand from OEM to cultural innovation.

Labubu’s global appeal is amplified by celebrity endorsements, including Lisa from Blackpink, Rihanna, Beckham, and Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. These endorsements have solidified Labubu’s status as a cultural phenomenon.

Labubu exemplifies China’s ‘Cool Power’—the growing global appreciation of Chinese brands and culture. As China continues to innovate and expand its cultural influence, it embraces the world with openness and confidence, reinforcing its image as a modern, dynamic nation.

【Vocabulary】

1. craze n. 狂热，风靡一时的事物  

2. captivate v. 迷住，使着迷  

3. prowess n. 高超的技艺，非凡的能力  

4. hub n. 中心，枢纽  

Part II. Questions

Q1. What is one feature of Labubu that makes it unique?  

A. It has a mint color.  

B. It has long ears and sharp teeth.  

C. It is created entirely by AI.  

D. It is only available in China.  

Q2. What does the auction of a mint-colored Labubu in Beijing suggest about its value?  

A. It highlights its status as a high-value collectible.  

B. It reflects its affordability for average buyers.  

C. It indicates its declining popularity in other markets.  

D. It shows that limited editions are not in demand.  

Q3. What is the significance of Dongguan in Pop Mart’s operations?  

A. It serves as the headquarters for Pop Mart’s global expansion.  

B. It is where Labubu was first created.  

C. It is the primary market for Labubu sales.  

D. It is a key hub for AI-driven smart manufacturing.  

Q4. What can be inferred about the role of celebrity endorsements in Labubu’s success?

A. They are the sole reason for Labubu’s global appeal.  

B. They help reinforce Labubu’s status as a cultural icon.  

C. They primarily target Chinese audiences.  

D. They have minimal impact on Labubu’s popularity.  

Q5. What is the best title for this passage?  

A. The Global Expansion of Pop Mart  

B. How AI Transformed the Toy Industry  

C. Labubu: A Symbol of Chinese Cultural Innovation  

D. Celebrity Endorsements and Their Impact on Labubu  

Part III. KEY

Q1. 【答案】B  

【解析】细节题。题目出处：Labubu, featuring long ears and sharp teeth, challenges traditional beauty standards and has become a collector's treasure. 这句话明确说明Labubu的特点是长耳朵和尖牙，因此正确答案是B。  

Q2.【答案】A

【解析】细节题。题目出处：Notably, a mint-colored Labubu auctioned in Beijing fetched 1.08 million yuan ($150,000), highlighting its art market appeal. 这句话表明，一款薄荷色Labubu在北京拍卖并以150,000美元成交，这突显了其在艺术市场上的高价值，因此正确答案是A。  

Q3. 【答案】D

【解析】细节题。题目出处：Pop Mart’s success stems from China's manufacturing prowess, with Dongguan serving as a major hub. AI-driven smart manufacturing accelerates production and boosts global competitiveness. 这句话明确指出，东莞是一个主要的生产枢纽，依靠AI驱动的智能制造来提升生产效率和全球竞争力，因此正确答案是D。  

Q4. 【答案】B  

【解析】推理题。题目出处：Labubu’s global appeal is amplified by celebrity endorsements, including Lisa from Blackpink, Rihanna, Beckham, and Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. These endorsements have solidified Labubu’s status as a cultural phenomenon. 这句话表明，名人代言增强了Labubu的全球吸引力，并巩固了其作为文化现象的地位，因此可以推断出名人代言对Labubu的成功起到了强化文化地位的作用，因此正确答案是B。  

Q5.【答案】C

【解析】主旨题。题目出处为整篇文章，文章主要讨论Labubu作为中国文化创新的象征，如何通过独特的设计、智能制造和全球化战略成为一种现象。因此，正确答案是C。  

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