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The Italian fashion house Prada has acquired the Versace brand in a major deal. The acquisition comes as Versace has been facing financial difficulties and fiercer competition in the luxury market.

The two brands have distinct histories and design concepts. Founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, Versace rose to fame quickly with its bold, bright and eye-catching designs, winning over many celebrities. It was a true family business. After Gianni’s death, his sister Donatella took over, but the brand later struggled to expand to compete with larger rivals. In contrast, Prada dates back to 1913, starting as a leather goods shop. It grew into a leading fashion company under Miuccia Prada, renowned for its simple, modern and minimalist style. She made a name for herself by using materials like nylon in high-fashion accessories.

Though both are famous Italian names, Prada and Versace have long been regarded as rivals. Prada’s style is simple and elegant, while Versace’s is showy and striking. Yet, a key part of their past competition was against the dominant French fashion industry. For decades, French companies led the global fashion scene. After World War II, Italian fashion carved out its niche by focusing on high-quality ready-to-wear clothing, offering a strong alternative to French haute couture.

A major challenge will be managing two brands with strong and contrasting identities. Prada stands for exceptional craftsmanship and targets wealthy, stylish customers, while Versace represents a flashier kind of luxury. The two brands are expected to retain their unique creative directions. Prada will likely use its business expertise to strengthen Versace’s operations. The group’s main task is to find a new strategic position for Versace globally and clarify its target customers. While major style changes are unlikely, the future success of both brands will depend on effective collaboration and careful management within the new corporate structure.

1.1. What is the background of Prada’s acquisition of Versace?

A To expand global market share.

B To address Versace’s business struggles.

C To combine two brands’ design concepts.

D To inherit shared family business values.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第一段中“the acquisition comes as Versace has been facing financial difficulties and fiercer competition”可知，普拉达收购范思哲的背景是范思哲正面临财务困境与激烈竞争。选项B中的address Versace’s business struggles精准对应这一背景，意为“应对范思哲的经营困境”。其余选项在原文中均无对应依据。故选B。

2.2. What is stated about Versace’s early rise to fame in Paragraph 2?

A With elegant and traditional designs.

B With bold and eye-catching designs.

C With affordable and mass-market products.

D With practical and functional designs.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段中“Versace rose to fame quickly with its bold, bright and eye-catching designs”可知，范思哲早期凭借大胆、鲜艳且吸睛的设计迅速成名。选项B的bold and eye-catching designs与原文表述完全吻合。选项A的“优雅传统设计”、选项C的“平价大众产品”、选项D的“实用功能设计”均与原文对范思哲风格的描述不符。故选B。

3.3. Why is French fashion mentioned in Paragraph 3?

A To stress the external competitive background.

B To explain the origin of a specific design concept.

C To criticize its relatively outdated business models.

D To praise its long-term global market dominance.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。第三段指出，普拉达与范思哲虽互为竞争对手，但二者过去竞争的重要背景是抗衡处于主导地位的法国时尚业。由此可推知，提及法国时尚是为了stress the external competitive background（强调意大利品牌面临的外部竞争背景）。选项B的“解释设计理念起源”、选项C的“批判其过时模式”、选项D的“赞扬其全球主导地位”均非作者提及法国时尚的目的。故选A。

4.4. What will determine the future success of the two brands?

A Effective collaboration in the new structure.

B Complete redesign of the two brands’ images.

C Focus on cheaper and accessible product lines.

D Direct merging of the two brands’ customer bases.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据最后一段结尾句“the future success of both brands will depend on effective collaboration and careful management within the new corporate structure”可知，两个品牌未来的成功取决于新架构下的高效协作与审慎管理。选项A的Effective collaboration in the new structure是对原文核心信息的精准提炼。选项B的“彻底重塑品牌形象”、选项C的“主打平价产品线”、选项D的“直接合并客户群体”均与原文表述相悖。故选A。