Comprehension: Fizzo Soft Drinks Company

Topic Content:

• Title: Fizzo Soft Drinks Company
• Text: New Oxford Secondary English Course for SS2 pages 57 – 58

     The Managing Director of Fizzo Soft Drinks Company had summoned the managers of the various departments of the company to a crucial meeting. It was to proffer a solution to the problem of the company which was becoming a hard nut to crack.

     “Ladies and gentlemen”, he said, “the position is serious. Our company has made a loss for two successive years and the informal committee of major shareholders has told me that unless we can effect an immediate improvement certainly by the end of this financial year, they will force the close of the company by withdrawing their capital, with the consequent loss of our jobs and those of all other employees. I welcome your suggestions.

     The Publicity Manager said their range of products was too narrow: only orange, lemon and pineapple flavours. Pineapple had never made a profit. It should be dropped and at once replaced by a new lime flavour which will sell like hot cakes. Moreover, a new flavour should be added – apple, passion fruit, grapefruit and so on – at least every two years.

     The Finance