2006年VOA标准英语-Oil Prices Help Russia's Middle Class Grow

By Barry Unger
Washington, DC
17 July 2006
 
watch Russia Middle Class report

As leaders of the world's industrial nations and Russia meet in St. Petersburg for the G-8 Summit, the country they are visiting has undergone many changes in recent years.  One change is the increasing prosperity of the middle class.  Crystal Park narrates¹. 

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Dennis and  Marina Shelipanov, and their baby
  
Dennis and Marina Shelipanov are living better these days than they ever thought possible. They are now able to afford a second car, something unthinkable in the past.

Dennis is a doctor and Marina is a dentist. But until recently these were underpaid professions in Russia.  But a recent increase in government spending for health care has boosted their salaries.  

The Shelipanov's are not the only Russians thriving in the current economy. City streets are full of luxury cars and cafes are packed with customers. The economy has grown by six percent and unemployment has been cut in half.  The reason for this current economic renaissance² -- oil.

High oil prices have led to an economic boom in Russia. Oil export revenues have increased from close to $9 billion in 1998 to more than $58 billion in 2004.

For Marina Shelipanov, it's not just about buying everyday things.

She says they can now make plans, think about providing for their son and, at some point, try and buy a house.

The economic boom has also led to huge discount chains like Ikea opening up stores in the country.

Stephen Sestanovich  
  
Stephen Sestanovich is a senior fellow for Russian studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. "The government has balanced its books. It's awash with money and is able to pay the salaries that make a middle class."

For the Shelipanov's, the new Russian middle class means a chance at stability.

Dennis says with stability and peace there is some sort of belief in the future.

1 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

2 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。