52. What does Macy's believe about its problems?
- A. They can be solved with better management.
- B. They cannot be attributed to weather only.
- C. They are not as serious in its online stores.
- D. They call for increased investments.
答案：B
答案句：However, it's clear that Macy's believes its troubles run deeper than a temporary aberration (偏离) off the thermometer.
参考译文：然而，梅西百货显然认为其困境比温度计的暂时偏离更为深重。
定位线索：题干“Macy's believe about its problems”→答案句“Macy's believes its troubles run deeper than a temporary aberration off the thermometer”；文中“troubles run deeper”对应选项B“cannot be attributed to weather only”（不能仅归因于天气）。
解析：题干问梅西百货对其问题的看法，答案句指出其问题比温度计的暂时偏离更深，即问题不止于天气因素，与选项B“cannot be attributed to weather only”一致。选项A“更好管理”无中生有；选项C“线上商店不严重”是后文内容但非本题答案；选项D“增加投资”与文中“cost-cutting”相反。
53. In order to cut costs, Macy's decided to ________.
- A. cut the salary of senior executives
- B. relocate some of its chain stores
- C. adjust its promotion strategies
- D. reduce the size of its staff
答案：D
答案句：The company pledged to cut 600 back-office positions, though some 150 workers in those roles would be reassigned to other jobs. It also plans to offer “voluntary separation” packages to 165 senior executives. It will slash staffing at its fleet of 770 stores, a move affecting some 3,000 employees.
参考译文：该公司承诺削减600个后台职位，尽管其中约150名员工将被重新分配到其他岗位。它还计划向165名高级管理人员提供“自愿离职”方案。它将削减其770家门店的员工配置，此举将影响约3000名员工。
定位线索：题干“cut costs”→答案句“cost-cutting measures”（前文）及“cut 600 back-office positions”“slash staffing”；文中“slash staffing”对应选项D“reduce the size of its staff”（裁员）。
解析：题干问梅西百货为削减成本采取的措施，答案句列举了削减职位、自愿离职、削减员工配置等，核心是减少员工数量，与选项D“reduce the size of its staff”同义。选项A“削减高管薪酬”未提；选项B“搬迁门店”未提；选项C“调整促销策略”未提。
54. Why does Macy's plan to expand Bluemercury in 2016?
- A. To experiment on its new business concept.
- B. To focus more on beauty products than clothing.
- C. To promote sales of its products by lowering prices.
- D. To be more competitive in sales of beauty products.
答案：D
答案句：It's also pushing ahead in 2016 with an expansion of Bluemercury, the beauty chain it bought last year. At a time when young beauty shoppers are often turning to Sephora or Ulta instead of department store beauty counters, Macy's hopes Bluemercury will help strengthen its position in the category.
参考译文：它还将在2016年推进Bluemercury的扩张，这是它去年收购的美容连锁店。在年轻美容消费者经常转向丝芙兰或Ulta而非百货商店美容柜台之际，梅西百货希望Bluemercury能帮助巩固其在该品类中的地位。
定位线索：题干“expand Bluemercury in 2016”→答案句“expansion of Bluemercury”；文中“strengthen its position in the category”对应选项D“be more competitive in sales of beauty products”（在美容产品销售上更具竞争力）。
解析：题干问梅西百货2016年扩张Bluemercury的原因，答案句明确指出希望“strengthen its position in the category”，即增强美容品类竞争力，与选项D“be more competitive in sales of beauty products”对应。选项A“试验新商业概念”是Macy's Backstage的目的；选项B“更关注美容而非服装”无中生有；选项C“降价促销”未提。