Part 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.
Lever Brothers’ Sunlight Soap: A Revolution in Hygiene and Industry
(A) Sunlight Soap, produced by the Lever Brothers in the late 19th century, was a groundbreaking innovation in the world of consumer goods. At a time when hygiene and cleanliness were not universally prioritised, Sunlight Soap not only introduced a revolutionary product but also played a crucial role in transforming industrial production, marketing strategies and public health. The success of Sunlight Soap laid the foundation for what would later become Unilever, one of the world’s largest multinational corporations.
(B) The story of Sunlight Soap begins in 1884, when William Hesketh Lever and his brother James Darcy Lever established the Lever Brothers company in England. They sought to create a high-quality soap that was both affordable and effective in promoting hygiene. Traditional soaps at the time were often harsh on the skin and required extensive preparation. The Lever Brothers aimed to change this by producing a soap that was easy to use and gentle while maintaining strong cleansing properties. The innovation behind Sunlight Soap lay in its production process. Unlike the traditional method of soap-making, which relied on animal fats and wood ash, Sunlight Soap was manufactured using a blend of vegetable oils and alkali, resulting in a more consistent and superior-quality product. This not only improved the soap’s effectiveness but also made it a more ethical and sustainable option compared with its contemporaries.
(C) Beyond the product itself, the Lever Brothers were pioneers in marketing and branding. They understood the power of advertising and created memorable, persuasive campaigns for Sunlight Soap. These advertisements emphasised the soap’s purity, its ability to fight germs, and its role in maintaining a happy and healthy home. The company used a variety of media, from newspapers and magazines to colourful posters and collectable cards, to reach a wide audience. This aggressive and innovative marketing strategy helped create a strong brand identity and fostered customer loyalty.
(D) The company also revolutionised industrial relations and worker welfare. In 1888, Lever Brothers built a purpose-built factory and village called Port Sunlight on the Wirral Peninsula. This model village was designed to provide high-quality housing, amenities, and social benefits for its employees. It featured gardens, schools, a hospital, and recreational facilities, which were considered revolutionary for the time. This approach was part of William Lever’s philosophy of “prosperity sharing,” where he believed that a healthy and content workforce would lead to greater productivity and company success. Port Sunlight became a landmark in industrial planning and set a new standard for employee welfare.
(E) The impact of Sunlight Soap on public health was significant. By promoting the importance of cleanliness with an effective and accessible product, it contributed to improved hygiene practices among the general public. This was particularly important in an era before the widespread understanding of germ theory. The widespread use of soap like Sunlight played a role in reducing the incidence of infectious diseases, thereby improving overall public health standards in Britain and beyond.
(F) The phenomenal success of Sunlight Soap provided the capital and brand recognition for the Lever Brothers to expand their operations globally. They began acquiring other soap and food companies, steadily growing their portfolio. This expansion culminated in 1930 with a merger with the Dutch margarine company, Margarine Unie. This merger formed Unilever, a dual-headed company structure that remains unique to this day. The creation of Unilever marked the beginning of a new era, transforming a single soap product into a global consumer goods empire.
Questions 1-6
The reading passage has six paragraphs, A-F. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet. NB You may use any letter more than once.
段落匹配题（段落A-F）
1 A description of the advertising methods used to promote the soap.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
2 The reason why a particular location was constructed for workers.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
3 The way the success of one product led to the creation of a major corporation.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
4 A comparison between the new product and the types of soap that existed previously.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
5 The various health benefits for society resulting from the use of the soap.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
6 The original business goal of the Lever brothers.
☐A ☐B ☐C ☐D ☐E ☐F
Questions 7-13
Complete the notes below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 7-13 on your answer sheet.
Sunlight Soap: Key Facts
Founders: William Hesketh Lever and 7 ____________
Year company established: 8 ____________
Key Product Innovation: Used 9 ____________ and alkali instead of animal fats and wood ash.
Resulted in a product that was more consistent, superior, and 10 ____________.
Marketing & Branding: Advertisements focused on purity and fighting 11 ____________
Worker Welfare: Built a model village called 12 ____________
Based on the philosophy of “13 ____________
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