©REUTERS/Mike Blake
Pre-reading questions:
- Which car companies are considered famous or well-known in your country?
- What vehicle do you consider to be technologically advanced?
Vocabulary:
- emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/
- concern /kuhn-SURN/
- injury /IN-juh-ree/
- respond /ri-SPOND/
- feature /FEE-cher/
[verb] – to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to
The authorities emphasize the importance of following safety protocols during the ongoing construction.
[noun] – a worried or nervous feeling about something, or something that makes you feel worried
The unresolved issue became a growing concern for the community, leading to increased anxiety among residents.
[noun] – physical harm or damage to someone’s body caused by an accident or an attack
The athlete suffered a severe injury during the match, requiring immediate medical attention from the team’s doctor.
[verb] – to say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done
She didn’t respond to his message, leaving him uncertain about her feelings towards the situation.
[noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something
The new smartphone’s standout feature is its high-resolution camera, attracting photography enthusiasts.
Article reading:
Adrian Lund, who used to lead the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, talked about the Cybertruck’s tough exterior. He worried it might cause more harm during accidents, raising concerns about more injuries. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, said the truck is very safe for both people inside and outside. However, Tesla has not responded to the safety concerns experts have raised. The Cybertruck’s unique look, with its flat surfaces and stainless-steel body like the famous DeLorean from “Back to the Future,” has interested many fans. But safety experts are still not sure about its safety features. They think it might not protect people well in accidents, especially those outside the vehicle. They also think it might face challenges meeting European safety standards because of its design. In the U.S., regulators trust carmakers to test and say their own vehicles are safe. But there are ongoing worries about how safe the Cybertruck is and what might happen if it crashes. Experts are asking for more tests before people start using it widely.
Comprehension questions
- What aspects of Tesla’s Cybertruck design have garnered attention from experts?
- What concerns have safety professionals expressed about the Cybertruck after watching Tesla’s crash test videos?
- Who raised concerns about the Cybertruck potentially causing more harm during accidents?
- How has Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, described the safety of the Cybertruck?
- What makes the Cybertruck’s design unique, and why has it interested many fans?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever felt that a car’s looks affected how safe you thought it was? If yes, did it change your decision about buying it or similar cars? If not, what things do you think make a car seem safe to you?
- If you had the chance, would you try or own a unique-looking car like the Tesla Cybertruck, even if experts have safety worries? Why or why not?
- Should car companies share detailed safety information about new and different car designs, even if they’re seen as very different?
- How might strange car designs like Tesla’s Cybertruck challenge the safety rules in the car industry?
- How important do you think it is for car manufacturers to prioritize both the safety of passengers inside a vehicle and those outside?