Bridging the Music Gap

Another area in which young and old are reported to differ is their taste in music. Although young people love having their own kind of music, they also often enjoy sharing their musical tastes with others. Ask your children and grandchildren to play some of their favorite music for you and explain why they like it. You may be surprised to find that you like it as well. If you don't wish to hear explicit language, state that up front. You may also find that your children and grandchildren are big fans of your music. Rock is still the favored genre for all groups up to age 65. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix are popular among all age groups. So while Coldplay may leave you cold, you may still be able to find some areas of agreement in the oldies category.

I. Find the equivalents in the text:

Музыкальный вкус; разделять музыкальные вкусы; грубая речь; прямо заявить; любимый жанр; оставить равнодушным; старые шлягеры.

II. Answer the questions:

Do you know what music your parents and grandparents are funs of?

Do you share their musical tastes?

Do you agree that the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix are popular among all age groups? Are you a fun of their music?

Have you ever had about Coldplay?

Do you think that music can be an obstacle between generations?

Improving Social Tolerance

Correctly or incorrectly, older people are perceived as being less tolerant of races and groups that are different from themselves. Many of the older generation grew up in segregated schools. They may attend traditional churches that are unlikely to have minority members. They may have had only casual contact, through work or neighborhoods, with people belonging to different races and groups. If that is true of you, it's not too late tobroaden your circle of friends. If your children and grandchildren have friends of different races and groups, ask to be introduced to them. The younger generation will appreciate your efforts, and your world may become more interesting.

Find the equivalents in the text:

Терпимость; быть терпимым по отношению к…; школы только для белых или только для черных; меньшинство; случайный контакт; микрорайон; расширить круг друзей; оценить усилия.

Answer the questions:

Do you think you are tolerant to different races and social groups?

Do you think you are more tolerant than your parents and grandparents? Do you discuss this problem with them?

What do you think of tolerance in the modern society?