ACADEMIC LISTENING TEST PRACTICE
MCDONALD'S
MCDONALD'S
For Students Preparing for Academic Tests / IELTS and TOEFL
Listen as you read the script.
Playing Time: 3 minutes 19 seconds
McDonald's is one of the most well-known and successful fast-food chains in the world. The company was founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald, two brothers who opened a barbecue restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers decided to streamline their menu and focus on hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes, which proved to be a successful decision.
In 1954, Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, visited the McDonald's brothers' restaurant and was impressed by their efficient systems and high-volume sales. He saw the potential for the restaurant to become a franchise and became the first franchisee of McDonald's in 1955. He eventually bought the company from the brothers in 1961 and turned it into the global empire it is today.
Under Kroc's leadership, the company expanded rapidly throughout the United States, and by the end of the 1960s, there were over 1,000 McDonald's restaurants across the country. The company also began to expand internationally, with the first international franchise opening in Canada in 1967. By the 1970s, McDonald's had become a global brand, with restaurants in countries all over the world.
One of the keys to McDonald's success has been its ability to adapt to the changing tastes and preferences of its customers. In the 1970s, the company began to offer a wider variety of menu items, including the famous "Big Mac" and the "Filet-O-Fish." In the 1980s and 1990s, McDonald's responded to growing concerns about healthy eating by introducing salads, fruit, and other healthier options to its menu.
In recent years, McDonald's has continued to evolve, introducing new menu items and technologies to appeal to customers. For example, the company has introduced mobile ordering and delivery options, and has also begun to incorporate more plant-based options into its menu.
However, McDonald's has also faced criticism and controversies over the years. For example, the company has been criticized for its marketing practices, particularly its targeting of children with advertising. Additionally, the company has faced lawsuits over the years related to food safety and employee treatment.
There is a McDonald's Museum located in San Bernardino, California, where the first McDonald's restaurant opened in 1940. The museum showcases the history of the fast-food chain, from its humble beginnings as a barbecue restaurant to its global success today. Visitors can see the original restaurant, artifacts from the company's history, and learn about the innovations that helped make McDonald's the iconic brand it is today. The museum also offers a chance to learn about Ray Kroc and the brothers who founded the chain.
In 1954, Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, visited the McDonald's brothers' restaurant and was impressed by their efficient systems and high-volume sales. He saw the potential for the restaurant to become a franchise and became the first franchisee of McDonald's in 1955. He eventually bought the company from the brothers in 1961 and turned it into the global empire it is today.
Under Kroc's leadership, the company expanded rapidly throughout the United States, and by the end of the 1960s, there were over 1,000 McDonald's restaurants across the country. The company also began to expand internationally, with the first international franchise opening in Canada in 1967. By the 1970s, McDonald's had become a global brand, with restaurants in countries all over the world.
One of the keys to McDonald's success has been its ability to adapt to the changing tastes and preferences of its customers. In the 1970s, the company began to offer a wider variety of menu items, including the famous "Big Mac" and the "Filet-O-Fish." In the 1980s and 1990s, McDonald's responded to growing concerns about healthy eating by introducing salads, fruit, and other healthier options to its menu.
In recent years, McDonald's has continued to evolve, introducing new menu items and technologies to appeal to customers. For example, the company has introduced mobile ordering and delivery options, and has also begun to incorporate more plant-based options into its menu.
However, McDonald's has also faced criticism and controversies over the years. For example, the company has been criticized for its marketing practices, particularly its targeting of children with advertising. Additionally, the company has faced lawsuits over the years related to food safety and employee treatment.
There is a McDonald's Museum located in San Bernardino, California, where the first McDonald's restaurant opened in 1940. The museum showcases the history of the fast-food chain, from its humble beginnings as a barbecue restaurant to its global success today. Visitors can see the original restaurant, artifacts from the company's history, and learn about the innovations that helped make McDonald's the iconic brand it is today. The museum also offers a chance to learn about Ray Kroc and the brothers who founded the chain.
1963 McDonald's TV commercial featuring Ronald McDonald
Note: For more cool ESL resources about McDonald's, visit my All Things Topics site.