By now you know that (1) your money’s worth is not just a matter of luck. It is more often the (2) of buying skill. (3) , even the smartest consumers are sometimes fooled into thinking they are getting their money’s worth (4) they are not. At one time or another, almost everyone experiences deception (欺骗, 诡计) in the marketplace. The deception may not be (5) . But, intentional or not, any kind of deception (6) consumer’s pocket- books. Some kinds ener their health and safety as well. Obviously, consumers need protection (7) the marketing of unsafe goods and false or misleading advertising. Fortunately, there are both public and (8) agencies working to meet the need.
Government’s job in free enterprise system is to protect the public interest. The public is (9) entirely of consumers. When it (10) to protecting consumers, therefore, government has the (11) influ- ence. Because most consumer products are sold (12) , the major responsibility for consumer protection is (13) by the federal government. That responsibility, however, is (14) by many agencies. For example, the US Postal Service works to uncover and stop dishonest (15) operated by mail. The National Highway Safety Bureau is (16) with all aspects of auto- mobile safety. Certain federal agencies, however, have consumer protection as one of their chief purposes. Four of these are described below.
Most federal agencies are known (17) their initials. FDA stands (18) the Food and Drug Administration, which probably does more to protect consumers than any other agency. Its major concern is the safety, purity, and labeling of (19) , drugs, and cosmetics. These are the products (20) which consumers spend an estimated 38% of their incomes.