Section A Directions: In this section, there
is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage
carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest
possible words. Please write ~our answers on Answer Sheet
2.
Technology was supposed to set us free, but in the car
industry it’s locking us out of our vehicles. And as many more ear keys contain
electronic chips and come equipped with computerized anti-theft ignition
systems, this problem looks set to worsen, experts say.
The days of visiting a hardware store for an extra car key are quickly
vanishing, and consumers and advocacy groups say the time needed to replace
missing or lost electronic keys is inordinately long and expensive--and drivers
may have no recourse when dealerships are not open. Getting a new electronic key
can cost hundreds of dollars, including the cost of towing a car.
Unlike an old-fashioned mechanical key, which unlocks a door or
starts an ignition with its "teeth," an electronic car key works by sending a
code that must be read electronically before a vehicle’s engine will start. The
technology for these keys is evolving rapidly and only a few locksmiths are
investing in the technology needed to replace them, meaning most drivers who
lose their keys are forced to visit a dealership for a replacement.
In a study of the cost of replacing keys in 50 makes and models of
vehicles in the Washington, D.C., area, Ditlow’s group found that the average
cost of an old-fashioned mechanical key was $12, while the average local dealer
price of a "smart" or electronic key was $152. The highest key replacement cost
was $335 for a 2004 Lexus IS300. Ditlow speculates that
with a healthy profit coming from their service and parts replacement divisions,
auto companies are reluctant to make the codes for their electronic keys more
readily available. For their part, automakers say making the information readily
accessible would lessen the effectiveness of their anti-theft systems. To remedy
this, Ditlow has suggested that the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which
combats theft and insurance fraud, maintain a database of key codes so they can
be easily located. Some automakers do indeed provide
their information, but not all. And as automobile electronics become
increasingly sophisticated and increasingly common, the electronic key problem
looks set to continue to dog drivers, experts say. Most luxury cars now have
sophisticated electronic key systems, and ear lockouts are among the most common
reasons for roadside-assistance calls according to the AAA. The code of an electronic car key can be compared to the "teeth" of a mechanical car key in their______.