D
Some years ago factories had more freedom than they have now, and they did not need to be as careful as they must be today. They did not need to worry a lot about the safety of the new products (产品) that they developed. They did not have to pay much attention to the health and safety of the people who worked for them. Often new products were dangerous for the people who used them; often conditions in the work place had very bad effects on the health of the workers.
Of course sometimes there were real accidents which attracted the attention of governments and showed the need for changes. Also scientists who were doing research into the health of workers sometimes provided information which governments should pay attention to. At such times, there were inquiries(调查) into the causes of the accidents or the problems. New safety rules were often introduced as a result of these inquiries; however, the new rules came too late to protect the people who died or became seriously ill.
Today many governments have special departments which protect customers (顾客) and workers. In the U.S., for example, there is a department which tests new airplanes and gives warnings about possible problems. It also makes the rules that plane producers (生产商) must follow. Another department controls the foods and drugs that companies sell. A third department looks at the places where people work, and then reports any companies that are breaking the laws which protect the health and safety of workers. Of course, new government departments and new laws cannot prevent every accident or illness, but they are having some good results. Our work places are safer and cleaner than before. The planes and cars which we use for travel are better. Producers are thinking more about the safety and health of the people who buy and use their products.
67. Some years ago safety rules __________.
A. were put forward due to workers’ suggestions
B. came into being as a result of the workers’ needs
C. were introduced because many people were killed or seriously injured
D. were good enough to protect workers and customers
68. It can be inferred from the passage that in the past __________.
A. workers often got ill because of the poor working conditions
B. companies had less freedom to develop new products
C. many people were killed by dangerous products
D. factories were as careful as they are today
69. According to the passage, __________.
A. new laws have no good results at all
B. governments did not listen to scientists
C. governments paid no attention to the safety of products at all
D. in the past factories did not have to pay much attention to the health of workers
70. The main topic of the passage is __________.
A. conditions in the work place B. the importance of government departments
C. the freedom of factories D. the safety and health of workers and customers