ARBAT: INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

Life in Moscow is noisy and full of hassles. It seems that you live in a crowd of people and cars; something like a compact mass. But in the center of Moscow there is a place where you seem to be able to forget all your troubles, and everything looks calm and simple, as if the theme of Bulgakov’s stories stopped there. This is the Old Arbat. Here is an interview with a young musician, Andrey. He had spent a lot of time there and know real secrets and problems.

N. I always thought that Arbat was full of geniuses. Have you ever met anybody extraordinary?

A. well, you meet practically everybody, people of all social layers. Don’t think of a person, as a genius, only because he spends time there. You’ll meet as many extraordinary people elsewhere, as on the Arbat.

N. Has life on the Arbat changed over the last 5or 6 years?

A. I think, it has. People who spent time there ten years ago say that it has become worse. Former regular visitors were devoted to informal communication and alternative culture; but now this street is mostly a dwelling place for idlers who like easy money.

N. Could you explain the statement “Arbat draws in”?

A. That’s right. The Arbat really draws in and there is the impression of stopped time and an eternal holiday. Even work on the Old Arbat sometimes looks like a fun pastime. But a man with steady principles won’t be dragged in. I’ll repeat that the main thing is to differentiate interesting people from the masses.

N. Let’s talk about teens…

A. Oh, teens! I was introduced to boys of 11 or 12 who earned their living by robbing adults.

N. In what way?

A. They laid emphasis on the psychological pressure. First they come to you and politely ask for some money. Then they do it more urgently until you understand what the matter is; slowly changing their tone into an “effective” one, they take you aside to a deserted lane where it’s better for your health to give them all your money and jewels. The girls make no exception. They also steal, and some of them have criminal records.

N. I was told that beggars aren’t so poor as it seems. Right?

A. beggars from the Arbat don’t usually earn money to provide themselves with food. They follow the line of least resistance. Do they need a job, if they can earn a few hundred rubles per day? Once upon a time a beggar from Kiev came to us. He liked our songs and rewarded us with some money. He told us that he was sorry that he gave us so little. Then we met him very often. Every time he came to us, he picked up empty bottles and was ready to kick any other beggar who wanted to take his territory. He even provided us with lavash and one time brought shrimps.

N. What kind of movements exist on the Arbat now?

A. Everything is mixed. For example, you can meet a skinhead, yet it turns out that he is a beggar. Arbat is very different inside and outside. A few years ago it was a very funny place. It was and it is a large family. But now there are more idlers, alcoholics and drug addicts.

N. Who is the most popular on The Arbat?

A. The most profitable variant is work with “askers” (this word comes from hippy lexicon. It means people who are no way beggars, but ask money for “little pleasures” – bear, cigarettes, etc.) Male-“askers” are usually paid for wit, female for appearance. This work is not for those with weak nerves, because none can foretell the reaction of people.

N. My last question is about behavior on the Arbat. Are there any rules?

A. As anywhere… never be afraid; never show your hostility, because first impressions about people are not usually right.

PART 2.

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS – THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEMS OF OUR CIVILIZATION

UNIT 1.

Exercise 1. Read the words and check if you remember the meaning:

Exercise 2.Test your awareness about ecology.

HOW ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE ARE YOU?

1. To reduce waste it is better to buy:

a) A product that costs little.

b) A product that lasts long.

c) A product that is very attractive.

2. Are there only natural substances in waste products?

a) Yes.

b) No, there are also synthetic substances.

c) No, there are only synthetic substances.

3. At the supermarket it is better to ask for:

a) A plastic bag.

b) A recyclable plastic bag.

c) A paper bag.

4. While you are brushing your teeth it is better to:

a) Turn off the tap.

b) Let the water flow.

c) Use cold water.

5. Where does the sorting of rubbish begin?

a) At the rubbish dump.

b) In the street.

c) At home.

6. What do we save by collecting paper?

a) Flowers.

b) Grass.

c) Trees.

7. Which of these things is made of aluminium?

a) Cans.

b) Bags.

c) Bottles.

8. What organic substances can you find in rubbish at home?

a) Glass.

b) Medicines.

c) Boxes and wrappers from groceries.

9. Do batteries contain toxic and dangerous elements?

a) Not at all.

b) No.

c) Yes.

10. When does a medicine expire?

a) When it does not have any more effect.

b) After two years.

c) After the date Written on the pack.

Mark one point for each correct answer and read your profile.

1 – b, 2 – b, 3 – b, 4 – a, 5 – c, 6 – c, 7 – a, 8 – c, 9 – c, 10 – c

From 0 to 4 points: You do not have a clear understanding of ecology yet. You should get more information on ecology in order to respect nature.

From 5 to 7 points: You are on the right track and are beginning to learn to respect nature. You are a little aware about ecology, but you need to keep on improving yourself everyday.

From 8 to 10 points: You are very conscious about preserving your surroundings. You try your best to keep down pollution. Try to teach your friends to respect nature and do not be afraid to tell them off when they pollute the environment.

Exercise 3. Read, translate and remember how to use the words:

Ecology, n – the term ecology was introduced into scientific language by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel. Ecology deals with the relationships of man and nature.

Ecological, adj. – ecological problems. All states ought to join efforts to save the Earth from the ecological catastrophe.

Environment, n – clean and healthy environment; the protection of the environment; to improve the environment. The protection of the environment is a task which requires great efforts by many public organizations.

to pollute, v – to pollute air (water, soil); polluted water; to be polluted with (garbage, fumes, soot, industrial waste). The stream was so polluted that the fish died.

Pollution, n – the danger of pollution; to overcome the problem of pollution. Pollution of air and water is one of the problems millions of people are concerned about today.

to pour, v – Water poured from the broken pipe. The rain is pouring down.

Pure, adj. – pure water; pure air

to damage, v – to damage nature by changing the ecological conditions. The storm did not damage many houses.

Damage, n – ecological damage. Rains sometimes cause great damage.

to release, v – to release dirt into the atmosphere. This plant released harmful substances into the air.

Substance, n – harmful substances; poisonous substances; chemical substances; to be polluted with toxic substances. Some factories release poisonous substances into the atmosphere.

Exercise 4. Describe your favourite place where you would like to have a rest. Why do you like it? What do you enjoy doing there? What are your feelings?

You may use the following words and word combinations:

Peaceful, inspired, full of energy, poetic, delighted, peace and quiet, enthusiastic, fresh air, wild flowers, to be filled with admiration, the rich green of the mountains, the bright blue of the sky, picturesque views, to be impressed by, beauty (charm) of the wonderful scenery,etc.

Exercise 5. Now imagine you are in a busy street of a big city. Say what ecological problems you meet there.

You may use the following words and word combinations:

Hard to breathe, smog over the city, smoke clods, unhealthy environment, noise and air pollution, frequent traffic jams, a great number of cars, to be covered with soot and dirt, polluted air, toxic gases, poisonous substances, etc.

Exercise 6. Here are some newspaper headlines. Say what problems the articles deal with. Guess the contents of each article.

a) “SEARCH FOR A WAY OUT OF THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS”

b) “CLEAN AIR FOR THE CITY”

c) “BAIKAL’S HEALTH”

d) “THE BALTIC, A SEA OF WASTE”

e) “ NATURAL PARKS PROTECTED BY THE STATE”

Exercise 7. Say how in your opinion everyone can show his(her) concern with the cleanliness and the beauty of the place in which he(she) lives.

You may use the following words and word combinations:

To plant trees, to protect plants in parks and streets, to take care of, to preserve a healthy and clean environment, not to pollute, to collect rubbish, to save energy, to keep clean, etc.

Exercise 8. Read these words and say in what way they are or are not true.

a) “The Nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.” Franklin D.Roosevelt

b) “Civilization is being poisoned by its own waste products” William Ralph Inge

UNIT 2.

Exercise 1.

a) Read and memorize the words:

b) Read the text:

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