New English File, Intermediate, UNIT 3A

Speaking and Discussion.

Vocabulary List
kid-hauling – transportation of children
precious – valuable, dear
bundle – piece, batch
put more thought into - consider seriously
count on – rely on, be dependent on smth
regardless of – not considering
a primary consideration – priority, most significant issue to consder
overlap frontal-impact test – testing a vehicle for the front collision
reverse-facing (opposite: forward-facing ) – looking backwards
wiggle – move up and down or side to side
affect - influence
glare - strong dazzling light
a rear window shade - curtain in the back car window
source - reason
irritation - annoyance, discomfort
compromise – acceptance, agreement
proximity - nearness
collision – crash
stroller – baby’s carriage
trunk – back compartment in a car for transporting things

stow – pack

depreciation – wearing out of the product due to use

factory warranty – the guarantee for quality and return/repair of the defective product
Baby on Board: A Car Buying Guide for
New Parents

See all
makes 

Whether expecting for the first time or already making memories with the newest member of the
family, new moms and dads have no trouble keeping busy. From preparing the baby's room and
childproofing the house to getting a routine set and adjusting to the new normal, there is plenty to do.

Frequently, buying a new or used family car is on new parents' to-do list -- especially for first-timers
driving a vehicle that is unsuitable for kid-hauling. Choosing a new car, truck or SUV to carry your
precious bundle of joy, however, is not as simple as rolling into the nearest dealership and
choosing the model that's painted your favorite color. You've got to put more thought into the
selection. After all, you have this tiny little person counting on you to get it right.

There are four key criteria to consider when buying a proper family car: safety ratings, interior
design, cargo room and overall value. We've listed these in order of importance, and when you're
shopping for a new set of family-oriented wheels, whether new or used, the most critical factor is
safety.

Safety Ratings
When choosing a vehicle in which you plan to transport your children, regardless of their age,
safety is a primary consideration. As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect your child to the
best of your ability, and that means selecting a safe mode of transportation. There are two sources
of crash-test information. The National Safety Administration rates vehicle safety based on crash
testing and rollover resistance testing, and gives vehicles a score between one and five. The
Insurance for Highway Safety also performs crash tests on new vehicles, typically to more rigorous
standards. Vehicles that receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating also pass a tough new small overlap
frontal-impact test that measures how well a car, truck, SUV or minivan protects occupants if it
strikes a tree, a pole or an oncoming vehicle on the left front corner of the tested vehicle.

Keep in mind, however, that frontal-impact test results are typically valid only when compared to
other vehicles in the same general weight class. In other words, a 4,000-lb vehicle with a 4-star
crash-test rating is likely to be safer in a real-world collision than a 2,500-lb vehicle with a 5-star
crash-test rating.

Interior Design
When selecting a new or used vehicle to transport your children, interior design is important. When
you bring a newborn home, the baby must ride in a reverse-facing child safety seat that is properly
installed using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children safety restraints. Reverse-facing child
safety seats require more clearance with a vehicle's front seat than forward-facing child safety
seats, so it is important to buy one in advance of your baby's arrival and ensure it fits in your current
vehicle or one you may be considering as a replacement.

While installing the reverse-facing child safety seat, ensure that the seat can be tightly secured.
When a child safety seat is properly installed, there is little to no movement when you try to wiggle
it. If you are installing the child safety seat in the rear center, which is the safest location, it is
important to see if you can fit into the adjacent seating position for when you want to ride in the back
with your child.

Some vehicles have a parabolic mirror that parents can use to check on children from the front seat
-- a useful feature for any parent. Also, consider how sunlight could affect a child riding in the back
seat, especially a baby in a reverse-facing child safety seat. Does the vehicle have dark-tinted rear
privacy glass to cut glare? If not, does the vehicle offer a rear window shade or rear side window
shades?

Eventually, your baby will become a toddler, and then a child. They will switch from a reverse-facing
child safety seat to a forward-facing design. When that happens, the kicking starts. Choosing a
family vehicle with a greater distance between the rear seat and the front seat back can significantly
reduce this source of irritation.

Finally, decide whether you really need a vehicle with a third-row seat. Often, third-row seats force
compromises in cargo room and second-row legroom. When child safety seats are installed in the
second row, the third row can be impossible to access. Also, in many vehicles, it is not
recommended to install child safety seats in the third-row position, due to the seat's proximity to the
rear of the vehicle and the added risk associated with a high-speed rear-impact collision.
Cargo Room
When children arrive, parents use their vehicle's trunk more frequently and tend to carry larger
items, such as giant boxes of diapers and baby wipes. When assessing the utility of a new family
vehicle, check whether your largest stroller can fit in the trunk and determine if everything the
family requires for a trip can be stowed in the cargo area.

For crossovers and SUVs, remember that car companies often quote cargo volume measurements
that are valid only when the cargo area is stacked to the roof. This, of course, is dangerous. If cargo
is stacked to the roof, and a divider is not installed, the cargo could fall onto a child if the driver
brakes hard, as during a panic stop.

Overall Value
Clearly, when selecting a new or used family car in which your child can be safely transported,
getting a good value is important. Value is defined in different ways, but for this article we'll focus on
purchase price, reliability, fuel economy and depreciation.

As discussed above, parents want to get the safest and roomiest vehicle that meets their
requirements and, to maximize value, comes at the lowest price possible. When test-driving cars,
start with the lower-priced models that provide everything you need -- even if some of the things you
want are not installed. Falling in love with a top-of-the-line model that you cannot afford and then
purchasing a less expensive version of the same vehicle will only make you feel unsatisfied, like you
settled for something you didn't really want.

Parents also will want to choose a model that has proven to be reliable over time, or one protected
by an excellent factory warranty. Add to your family's bank account by selecting a fuel-efficient
model that requires regular unleaded instead of pricy premium gas.

Discussion tasks:

1. Name the tests used to ensure car safety

2. How do safety considerations change with the age of a child?

3. Which of safety criteria are the most important for you?