I. Read the following passage and choose the best answer.
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, there have been a lot of discussions about new security measures in airports and other public spaces. Defenders of civil liberties are worried that our fear of terrorism is a danger to our freedoms and privacy.
Now the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US has ordered American airlines to give them data on millions of passengers. This is the country’s latest attempt to improve security checks on airline passengers. The plan is called “Secure Flight.” It compares passenger records, from credit card numbers to addresses, with names on terrorist watch lists.
However, the plan is causing privacy concerns both in the US and abroad. [A] It has been said that European Union data protection officials had “huge concerns” about the US government’s first attempt at computerized screening of passengers. [B] That effort was ended because of European fears that the government would have access to too much personal information.
[C] If the European Union determines that Secure Flight violates its privacy laws, airlines will have a problem. If they obey the TSA’s orders, they risk being fined by the European Union for violating EU privacy laws. [D] If they obey the European Union, they risk being fined by the United States.
1. What is the topic of the passage?
A. The European Union asking airlines for data about passengers
B. The question of personal property and US law
C. Privacy concerns in a post-September 11th world
D. The risks that airlines face from the US and the European Union
2. According to the passage, the US government’s first plan for computerized screening
A. was accepted by the European Union
B. was ended because of protests from Americans
C. was ended because of protests from Europeans
D. was strongly supported by the airlines
3. Which is the best place for the following sentence “Overall, this is a very difficult situation for the airlines”?
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]
4. The word ‘they’ refers to ______.
A. EU privacy laws B. airlines C. the United States D. fines
5. If the airlines obey European Union privacy laws, ______.
A. they could be fined by the United States B. they could be fined by other airlines
C. they won't be able to fly into Europe D. they won't be able to fly into the United States
6. Which information is NOT in the passage?
A. The new plan is called "Secure Flight."
B. European officials have concerns about computerized screening.
C. Airlines can be fined if they disobey the new laws.
D. Airline officials are against the new laws.
