A
Industrial pollution is not only a problem for the countries of Europe and North America. It is an extremely serious problem in some developing countries. For these countries, economic growth is a very important aim. They want to introduce industries, and so they put no controls on industries that cause pollution. Cubatao, an industrial town of 85,000 people in Brazil —is an example of the connection between industrial development and pollution. In 1954, Cubatao had no industry. Today it had more than twenty large factories, which produce many pollutants（污染物质）. The people of the town are suffering from the poisonous matters in their surroundings, and the bad effects can be clearly seen. Birth shortcomings are extremely common. Among children and grownups, lung problems are sometimes twelve times more common in Cubatao than in other places.
It is true that Brazil, like many other countries, had laws against pollution, but these laws are not carried out strictly enough. It is cheaper for companies to take no notice of the laws and pay the fines than to buy the expensive equipment that will reduce the pollution. It is clear, therefore, that economic growth is more important to the government than to the health of the workers. However, the responsibility does not completely lie in the Brazilian government. The example of Cubatao shows that international companies are not acting in a responsible way either. A number of the factories in the town are owned by large companies from France, Italy, and the US. They are doing things in Brazil that they would not be able to do at home. If they caused the same amount of pollution at home, they would be severely punished or even put out of business.
21. Developing countries don’t have strict pollution controls because _______
A. the new industries they want to introduce do not cause much pollution
B. pollution is not a serious problem for developing countries
C. they don’t realize that the balance of nature will be destroyed by some pollutants
D. If they put stricter controls on industries, fewer companies would build new plants in developing countries
22. The author’s purpose in naming Cubatao is to show that ____
A. industry can develop very fast in developing countries
B. the pollution problem in Brazil is extremely serious
C. industries growth can cause pollution problems for developing countries
D. pollution is killing many people and destroying the whole economy of Brazil
23. How is the health of the population of Cubatao?
A. There are more heart diseases among people who live near chemical factories.
B. More people suffer from lung disease because of poisonous matters.
C. Their health is affected by pollutants the way as that of other Brazilians.
D. Babies there are found not as bright as those who live in other places.
24. Some foreign companies like to set up their plants in Brazil because they ____
A. think Brazil is suitable for them to invest in Brazil
B. will not be severely punished if they cause pollution is Brazil
C. can make much money and they do not have to pay Brazilian workers much
D. can act in an irresponsible way in Brazil where there are no pollution laws
