↶ Graded Readers

The Story of Flamin' Hot Cheetos

↶ HSK 6 reading practice

The Story of Flamin' Hot Cheetos

很多hěn duō人rén都dōu喜爱xǐ ài辣味là wèi奇多qí duō,这种zhè zhǒng零食líng shí香辣xiāng là可口kě kǒu。

Many people love Flamin' Hot Cheetos, this snack is spicy and delicious.

但dàn很少hěn shǎo有yǒu人rén知道zhī dào,它tā诞生dàn shēng背后bèi hòu的de故事gù shì充满chōng mǎn传奇chuán qí色彩sè cǎi。

But few people know that the story behind its birth is full of legendary color.

故事gù shì的de主角zhǔ jiǎo名叫míng jiào理查德lǐ chá dé·蒙塔涅斯méng tǎ niè sī。

The protagonist of the story is named Richard Montañez.

他tā出身chū shēn贫寒pín hán,父母fù mǔ是shì从cóng墨西哥mò xī gē到dào美国měi guó的de移民yí mín。

He came from a poor background, and his parents were immigrants from Mexico to the United States.

由于yóu yú家境jiā jìng困难kùn nan,理查德lǐ chá dé从小cóng xiǎo未能wèi néng接受jiē shòu太多tài duō正规zhèng guī教育jiào yù。

Due to family difficulties, Richard did not receive much formal education from a young age.

读写dú xiě能力néng lì有限yǒu xiàn。

His reading and writing abilities were limited.

成年chéng nián后hòu,他tā进入jìn rù“菲多利fēi duō lì”零食líng shí公司gōng sī工作gōng zuò,担任dān rèn一yī名míng清洁工qīng jié gōng。

After growing up, he joined the “Frito-Lay” snack company to work as a janitor.

有yǒu一yī天tiān,公司gōng sī生产线shēng chǎn xiàn发生fā shēng故障gù zhàng。

One day, the company's production line malfunctioned.

导致dǎo zhì一yī批pī奇多qí duō未能wèi néng添加tiān jiā调味料tiáo wèi liào,成了chéng le索然无味suǒ rán wú wèi的de“白板bái bǎn”。

This led to a batch of Cheetos not having seasoning added, becoming bland “blanks”.

理查德lǐ chá dé觉得jué de丢弃diū qì很hěn可惜kě xī,便biàn带dài回家huí jiā,琢磨zuó mo着zhe如何rú hé赋予fù yǔ它们tā men风味fēng wèi。

Richard felt it was a pity to discard them, so he took them home and pondered how to give them flavor.

深受shēn shòu墨西哥mò xī gē辣味là wèi美食měi shí影响yǐng xiǎng的de理查德lǐ chá dé灵机一动líng jī yī dòng。

Deeply influenced by Mexican spicy cuisine, Richard had a sudden inspiration.

在家zài jiā调制tiáo zhì了le一种yī zhǒng辛辣xīn là的de调味粉tiáo wèi fěn,撒sǎ在zài奇多qí duō上shàng。

At home, he prepared a kind of spicy seasoning powder and sprinkled it on the Cheetos.

家人jiā rén品尝pǐn cháng后hòu赞不绝口zàn bù jué kǒu。

After his family tasted it, they praised it endlessly.

他tā心想xīn xiǎng:“这个zhè ge味道wèi dao这么zhè me棒bàng,或许huò xǔ公司gōng sī会huì采纳cǎi nà”?

He thought: “This taste is so great, perhaps the company will adopt it?”

尽管jǐn guǎn只zhǐ是shì一yī名míng普通pǔ tōng清洁工qīng jié gōng,理查德lǐ chá dé依然yī rán鼓起gǔ qǐ勇气yǒng qì。

Although he was only an ordinary janitor, Richard still gathered his courage.

主动zhǔ dòng联系lián xì公司gōng sī高层gāo céng,推介tuī jiè他的tā de辣味là wèi奇多qí duō创意chuàng yì。

He proactively contacted the company's executives and promoted his Flamin' Hot Cheetos idea.

出人意料chū rén yì liào的de是shì,高层gāo céng对duì这个zhè ge想法xiǎng fǎ很hěn感兴趣gǎn xìng qù,决定jué dìng给gěi他tā一个yī gè展示zhǎn shì的de机会jī huì。

Unexpectedly, the executives were very interested in this idea and decided to give him an opportunity to showcase.

理查德lǐ chá dé特意tè yì换huàn上shàng最好zuì hǎo的de衣服yī fu,略显lüè xiǎn紧张jǐn zhāng却què充满chōng mǎn热情rè qíng地de向xiàng公司gōng sī演示yǎn shì了le他tā的de发明fā míng。

Richard purposely changed into his best clothes, slightly nervous yet full of enthusiasm, and demonstrated his invention to the company.

结果jié guǒ大获dà huò成功chéng gōng!

The result was a great success!

公司gōng sī当场dāng chǎng拍板pāi bǎn,决定jué dìng投产tóu chǎn这款zhè kuǎn新xīn零食líng shí。

The company decided on the spot to produce this new snack.

辣味là wèi奇多qí duō一经yī jīng推出tuī chū便biàn风靡fēng mǐ市场shì chǎng,供不应求gōng bú yìng qiú,为wèi公司gōng sī带来了dài lái le丰厚fēng hòu利润lì rùn。

Once launched, Flamin' Hot Cheetos swept the market, was in short supply, and brought abundant profits to the company.

理查德lǐ chá dé本人běn rén也yě因此yīn cǐ获得huò dé晋升jìn shēng,逐渐zhú jiàn在zài公司gōng sī崭露头角zhǎn lù tóu jiǎo,最终zuì zhōng成为chéng wéi重要zhòng yào管理者guǎn lǐ zhě。

Richard himself also received a promotion as a result, gradually emerged in the company, and ultimately became an important manager.

理查德lǐ chá dé的de故事gù shì生动shēng dòng诠释quán shì了le:一个yī gè源自yuán zì生活shēng huó的de创意chuàng yì,加jiā上shàng一份yī fèn付诸fù zhū行动xíng dòng的de勇气yǒng qì,足以zú yǐ彻底chè dǐ改变gǎi biàn一个yī gè人rén的de命运mìng yùn轨迹guǐ jì。

Richard's story vividly illustrates: an idea originating from life, plus the courage to put it into action, is enough to completely change a person's life trajectory.

Hover a word for its pinyin & meaning; click to pin it.

Vocabulary 180 words

ChinesePinyinEnglish
很多 hěn duōMany; a lot
人 rénperson; people
都 dōuall; both
喜爱 xǐ àito like; to love; to be fond of
辣味 là wèihot (spicy); pungent taste
奇多 qí duōbrand name for snacks like cheese-flavored puffs (Cheetos)
这种 zhè zhǒngthis kind of
零食 líng shísnacks
香辣 xiāng làspicy and fragrant
可口 kě kǒutasty; delicious
但 dànbut; however
很少 hěn shǎoseldom; rarely
有 yǒuto have; there is, there are
知道 zhī dàoto know; to be aware
它 tāit
诞生 dàn shēngto be born; to originate
背后 bèi hòubehind; at the back
的 depossessive particle
故事 gù shìnarrative; story; tale
充满 chōng mǎnto be full of; to brim with
传奇 chuán qílegend; a legendary tale
色彩 sè cǎicolor; hue; coloration
主角 zhǔ jiǎoleading role; protagonist
名叫 míng jiàocalled; named
理查德 lǐ chá déRichard (name)
蒙塔涅斯 méng tǎ niè sīMontañez (a transliteration, name of a person)
他 tāhe; him
出身 chū shēnone’s family background; origin
贫寒 pín hánpoor; poverty-stricken; impoverished
父母 fù mǔparents
是 shìto be; correct
从 cóngfrom
墨西哥 mò xī gēMexico
到 dàoto arrive; to reach
美国 měi guóUnited States; USA; US
移民 yí mínto immigrate; to migrate; immigrant; emigrant
由于 yóu yúdue to; owing to; because of
家境 jiā jìngone’s family background or financial situation
困难 kùn nandifficult; challenging
从小 cóng xiǎosince childhood; from a young age
未能 wèi néngcannot; to fail to; unable to
接受 jiē shòuto accept; to receive
太多 tài duōtoo much; too many
正规 zhèng guīregular; standard; formal
教育 jiào yùeducation; to educate
读写 dú xiěreading and writing
能力 néng lìability
有限 yǒu xiànlimited; finite
成年 chéng niánto reach adulthood; to come of age
后 hòubehind; after
进入 jìn rùto enter; to go into
菲多利 fēi duō lìFrito-Lay (snack brand)
公司 gōng sīcompany; firm; corporation
工作 gōng zuòto work; job
担任 dān rènto serve as; to hold an office
一 yīone
名 míngname; to be famous
清洁工 qīng jié gōngcleaner; janitor
天 tiānday; sky
生产线 shēng chǎn xiànassembly line; production line
发生 fā shēngto happen; to occur
故障 gù zhàngmalfunction; breakdown
导致 dǎo zhìto lead to; to cause
批 pīto criticize; (classifier) a batch
添加 tiān jiāto add; to increase
调味料 tiáo wèi liàoseasoning; condiment; flavoring; dressing; essences
成了 chéng leto be done; to be ready; that's enough!; that will do!
索然无味 suǒ rán wú wèidull; insipid
白板 bái bǎnwhiteboard; tabula rasa; blank slate
觉得 jué deto think; to feel
丢弃 diū qìto discard or abandon
很 hěnvery
可惜 kě xīwhat a pity; unfortunately
便 biànconvenient; simply; then (as a structural particle)
带 dàito bring; to carry; to wear
回家 huí jiāto return home
琢磨 zuó moto ponder; to mull over; to turn over in one's mind
着 zhe(aspect particle) indicating ongoing action
如何 rú héhow; in what way
赋予 fù yǔto bestow or give; to assign (a duty or quality)
它们 tā menthey (for inanimate objects)
风味 fēng wèidistinctive flavor; unique style
深受 shēn shòuto receive in no small measure
美食 měi shídelicious food; gourmet food
影响 yǐng xiǎngto influence; effect
灵机一动 líng jī yī dònga sudden flash of inspiration; to be struck by a brilliant idea
在家 zài jiāto be at home
调制 tiáo zhìto modulate; modulation
了 le(particle indicating completed action or change of state)
一种 yī zhǒngone kind of; one type of
辛辣 xīn làspicy hot (taste); fig. biting (criticism)
调味粉 tiáo wèi fěnseasoning powder
撒 sǎto scatter; to sprinkle; to spill
在 zàito be (located); at; in
上 shàngup; on
家人 jiā rénfamily members
品尝 pǐn chángto taste; to sample
赞不绝口 zàn bù jué kǒuto praise without cease (idiom); praise sb to high heaven; to praise without cease (idiom)
心想 xīn xiǎngto think to oneself; to think
这个 zhè ge(pronoun) this; (adjective) this
味道 wèi daoflavor; taste
这么 zhè meso; in this way
棒 bàngstick; excellent; wonderful
或许 huò xǔperhaps; maybe
会 huìcan; to know how to; meeting
采纳 cǎi nàto accept; to adopt (an idea or suggestion)
尽管 jǐn guǎndespite; although
只 zhǐonly; just
普通 pǔ tōngordinary; common
依然 yī ránstill; as before; unchanged
鼓起 gǔ qǐto summon one's (courage, faith etc); to puff up (one's cheeks etc); to bulge; to swell out
勇气 yǒng qìcourage; valor
主动 zhǔ dòngproactive; taking the initiative
联系 lián xìto contact; to connect
高层 gāo cénghigh-rise; upper levels; senior management
推介 tuī jièpromotion; to promote; to introduce and recommend
他的 tā deHis
创意 chuàng yìcreativity; a creative idea
出人意料 chū rén yì liàounexpected; surprising
对 duìright; correct
想法 xiǎng fǎidea; opinion
感兴趣 gǎn xìng qùto be interested in
决定 jué dìngto decide; decision
给 gěito give; for, to (sb)
一个 yī gèa; an; one; the whole (afternoon, summer vacation etc)
展示 zhǎn shìto exhibit; to display; to show
机会 jī huìopportunity; chance
特意 tè yìspecially; intentionally
换 huànto exchange; to change
最好 zuì hǎobest; had better
衣服 yī fuclothes
略显 lüè xiǎnslightly; rather
紧张 jǐn zhāngnervous; tense
却 quèbut; yet; however
热情 rè qíngenthusiastic; warm; cordial
地 de-ly (adverb particle)
向 xiàngtoward; to
演示 yǎn shìto demonstrate; to show; presentation; demonstration
发明 fā míngto invent; invention
结果 jié guǒresult; outcome; consequence
大获 dà huòGreat gain; big success
成功 chéng gōngto succeed; success
当场 dāng chǎngon the spot; at the scene
拍板 pāi bǎnclapperboard (used in film production)
投产 tóu chǎnto put into production; to put into operation
这款 zhè kuǎnthis model; this type
新 xīnnew
一经 yī jīngas soon as; once (an action has been completed)
推出 tuī chūto launch; to release; to introduce
风靡 fēng mǐfashionable; popular
市场 shì chǎngmarket; marketplace
供不应求 gōng bú yìng qiúsupply does not meet demand
为 wèifor; because
带来了 dài lái leto bring; to bring about; to produce
丰厚 fēng hòugenerous; ample
利润 lì rùnprofit; earnings
本人 běn rénoneself; (used to refer to oneself)
也 yěalso
因此 yīn cǐthus; consequently; as a result
获得 huò déto obtain; to receive
晋升 jìn shēngto be promoted; promotion
逐渐 zhú jiàngradually
崭露头角 zhǎn lù tóu jiǎoto reveal outstanding talent (idiom); to stand out as conspicuously brilliant
最终 zuì zhōngfinal; ultimate
成为 chéng wéito become; to turn into
重要 zhòng yàoimportant; significant
管理者 guǎn lǐ zhěmanager; administrator
生动 shēng dòngvivid; lively
诠释 quán shìto interpret; to comment and explain; to annotate; to perform (i.e. interpret a theatrical role); to decode
源自 yuán zìto originate from
生活 shēng huólife; livelihood
加 jiāto add; plus
一份 yī fènone portion; one share
付诸 fù zhūto apply to; to put into (practice etc); to put to (a test, a vote etc)
行动 xíng dòngaction; to act
足以 zú yǐsufficient to; enough to
彻底 chè dǐthorough; completely
改变 gǎi biànto change; to transform
命运 mìng yùnfate
轨迹 guǐ jìtrajectory; track; orbit