par. 1
- to try = to attempt
- to question = to doubt
- to react = to respond

par. 2
- a ride = a jaunt
- affected with panic = panick-stricken

par. 3
- afterwards = later
- to jam = to lock up

par. 5
- by means of = via
- to put in communication with = to put in touch with
- to force to stop = to bring to a halt

par. 6
- to be equipped with = to be fitted with

par. 7
- to wait for = to await
- very recent = latest
- to designate = to finger
- the offender = the culprit
- to be rewarded with = to be paid off with

titre
- sanglotant = sobbing
- raconter = to recount
- épreuve terrifiante = terror ordeal

par. 1
- rapporter, relater = to report
- tenter = to attempt
- se débarrasser de = to do away with
- propriétaire = owner
- douter de = to doubt
- demande insistante = appeal
- ralentir = to slow down
- un tout petit peu = a bit

par. 2
- balade = jaunt
- soumettre à = to submit to
- montagnes russes = rollercoaster
- paniqué = panic-stricken
- freiner = to brake
- embrayage = clutch

par. 3
- quotidien (n) = daily
- itinéraire = route
- saisir (au clavier) = to enter
- se verrouiller = to lock up

par. 4
- secoué, encore sous le choc = shaken
- appuyer sur = to press
- neutraliser = to override

par. 5
- mettre en contact avec = to put in touch with
- forcer à s'arrêter = to bring to a halt
- assoiffé de sang = murderous

par. 6
- article de presse = press report
- incriminé = offending
- être équipé de = to be fitted with
- d'un ton supérieur = superbly
- ajouter = to add

par. 7
- attendre = to await
- impatience = anticipation
- tout dernier, tout récent = latest
- scandale = outrage
- désigner du doigt, dénoncer (comme) = to finger (as)
- le coupable = the culprit
- recevoir en compensation = to be paid off with
- séjour en famille = family trip

a/ What information do we learn from the byline, dateline and copyright line of the article?

We learn that the author is one Lester Haines and the article was published on Friday 18th March 2005 in the Register (a website).

b/ How many incidents are reported in the article? What make of cars is involved?

Two separate incidents are reported, one involving a Renault Vel Vatis and the other a Renault Laguna.

c/ Each incident contains a humorous reference to a film. What are those films?

The first film is Cannonball Run, the second one is The Rise of the Machines

d/ The journalist keeps using adjectives denoting fear or grief (chagrin). Draw a list of them.

Sobbing Frenchman (title), its terrified owner (par. 1), the panick-stricken Frenchman, A shaken Gamada (par. 4), the sobbing victim (last par.)

e/ In the journalist's opinion, who is actually (réellement) to blame for the second incident: the driver or the carmaker?

In the journalist's opinion, it is the carmaker, not Mr Gamada, who is to blame for the second incident ("We await with delicious anticipation the explanation of Louis Schweitzer for this latest outrage. Of course, the report will finger Gamada as the culprit").

f/ On whose side is the local press?

The local press is on the side of the carmaker ("It rather superbly adds: 'It seems probable that the driver was not able to disengage the lever' ").