唐长安城包括今西安的城区和近郊区，面积相当于现在西安城的七倍半，城周(circumference)有36.7公里，城内居住着约100万人口。长安城内街道宽广笔直，主要大街宽度都在一百米以上，宫门前的一条东西向的大街，足有220米宽。道路两旁种有青槐和榆树（ash and elm trees），并有相当完整的排水系统（sewerage system）。唐代长安是我国封建社会按照规划修建的规模最大的城市，对唐以后我国乃至邻国的城市建筑，都产生了较大的影响。唐代是我国封建社会的鼎盛时期，长安不仅是全国的政治、经济、文化中心，而且是东方最大的国际性都市。当时有三百多个国家和地区，与唐保持友好交往。
Chang’an city in the Tang Dynasty included the present-day Xi’an and its suburbs, 7.5 times larger in area than the present Xi’an city. It was 36.7 km in circumference, and had a population of one million. The streets in Chang’an were straight and wide, and some avenues were over 100m in width.
The one in front of the imperial palace, running from east to west, was fully 220m wide.Ash and elm trees lined the streets, all of which had a complete sewerage system. Chang’an city in the Tang Dynasty, built according to a unified plan, was the largest city through Chinese feudal society and had a major influence on city construction in post-Tang China and its neighboring countries.
In the Tang Dynasty, which was the heyday of feudal China, Chang’an was not only the political, economic and cultural center of China, but was also the largest cosmopolitan city in the Orient. At that time, over 300 countries and regions were in friendly contact with China.
Passage 2
春运( Chunyun)是指中国春节前后一段时期里出现的一种高负荷交通运输，一般从春节前15天开始，持续约40天。对大多数中国人来说，在春节期间与家人团聚是一个悠久的传统。人们从工作、读书的地方回到家里，在除夕夜与家人一起吃团圆饭。春运期间的客流量(passenger flow)在近10年来每年都已超过中国的总人口。春运被称为每年世界上最大的人类迁徙活动。在这期间，铁路运输往往经历最大的考验。
Chunyun refers to the extremely high traffic load in China around the time of the Chinese New Year. It usually begins 15 days before the Lunar New Year’s Day and lasts for around 40 days.
It is a long-held tradition for most Chinese people to reunite with their families during the Chinese New Year.
People return home from work or study to have the reunion dinner with their families on New Year’s Eve. Every year in the past decade, the passenger flow during the Chunyun period has exceeded the population of China.
Chunyun has been called the largest annual human migration in the world. Rail transport tends to experience the biggest challenge during this period.
Passage 3
川剧(Sichuan Opera)就像四川火锅以及其他的名菜一样动人、丰富。变脸(Face Changing)是川剧中的一大亮点。据说古人在他们的脸上作画，以便赶走野生动物。川剧吸收了这一古老的技艺并将其升华为一门艺术。变脸是一门神奇的艺术。演员在不到20秒的时间内要换十多次脸谱。通过举手、摆袖（swing a sleeve）或摇头，演员使用不同的脸谱来表现不同的情绪，并通过看得见摸得着的脸谱表达出看不见摸不着的感情。
Sichuan Opera(Chuan Ju), like hot-pot and other famous Sichuan dishes, is exciting and rich.Face changing is the highlight of Sichuan Opera. It is said that ancient people painted their faces to drive away wild animals.
Sichuan Opera absorbed this ancient skill and perfected it into an art. Face changing is a magical art, in which the actor has to change more than 10 masks in less than 20 seconds.
By raising the hand, swinging a sleeve or tossing the head, the actor uses different masks to show different emotions, expressing invisible and intangible feelings through visible and tangible masks.
Passage4
改革开放30 年来，随着中国逐渐崛起成为政治经济强国，海外人士学习汉语的现象与日俱增，海外孔子学院也成了人们学习中国语言和中国文化的首选之地。通过学习汉语，他们对这个和自己文化大相径庭的古老文明产生了浓厚的兴趣，而且有机会了解中国的哲学、艺术、医学、饮食文化，亲身体验这个文明古国的风采。 作为第二文化，中国文化也丰富了他们的生活和世界观。越来越多的学习汉语的美国人除了对中国菜肴赞不绝口之外，也在尝试针灸(Chinese acupuncture)，草药(herbal medicines)和武术。
As China is rising as a political and economic power thanks to its three-decade reform and opening-up, more and more people overseas start to learn Chinese and turn to a Confucius Institute in their own countries as their first choice in learning the Chinese language and culture.
Through the learning of the Chinese language, they have concurrently（并发的，同时发生的） developed their interest in this ancient civilization which is vastly different from theirs, and have gained opportunities to learn about Chinese philosophy, art, medicine and food culture, experiencing first-hand the splendor（壮丽，辉煌） of this ancient civilization.
As their second culture, Chinese culture has also enriched their life and world outlooks.
Passage 5 中国传统思想
中国有一套完整地影响了中国几千年的思想体系。其最重要的组成部分包括孔孟开创的儒家思想（Confucianism）、老庄开创的道家思想(Taoism)以及由印度传入的佛学思想(Confucianism)。
在中国的传统思想中，对中国影响最大、最深远的是儒家思想。儒学是一套道德规范，强调的是为人处事的正派、人际关系的和谐以及个人对国家的责任感。在孔子看来，政治的廉洁是以人品的正直为基础的。其创始人孔子强调以“仁”(benevolence)为核心，《论语》(Analects)记载着他的政治学说。
For thousands of years, China has been under the influence of a holistic system of thoughts, which is largely composed of Confucianism initiated by Confucius and Mencius, Taoism initiated by Laozi and Zhuangzi, as well as Buddhism introduced from ancient India.
Among these thoughts, Confucianism played a fundamental role in shaping the traditional Chinese ideology. It represents a set of moral standards, because it stresses fairness and harmony in human relationships, as well as the individual’s social responsibility for their country. For Confucius, political honesty is based on individual ethical integrity. Confucius, the initiator of Confucianism, developed his philosophy around the concept of benevolence. The Analects of Confucius is a record of his political views.
Passage 6 中国古代科技
中国是世界文明古国之一。她不仅有独特的文化，她古代的科学技术也非常发达。
勤劳智慧的中国人为世界贡献了许多发明创造，最为著名的无疑是指南针、造纸术、印刷术和火药这四大发明。指南针的发明，给航海事业带来了划时代的影响，使世界航运史翻开了新的一页。纸和印刷术的发明，极大地方便了信息的储存和交流，对推动世界文明的发展具有划时代的意义。火药在开山、修路、挖河(river excavation)等工程中的广泛运用，则促进了世界工业的发展。
China is one of the countries with ancient civilization. She not only boasts her unique culture, but her advanced science and technology in ancient times.
The wise and industrious Chinese people have contributed to the whole world a great number of inventions, of which the most well-known are undoubtedly the four great inventions, namely the compass, papermaking, the technique of printing and gunpowder. The invention of compass had an epoch-making influence on navigation, opening up a new era in the history of international navigation. The inventions of paper and printing provide a more convenient way for the storage and communication of information. The two also have an epoch-making significance in promoting the development of world civilization. Gunpowder was extensively applied to various projects like exploding mountains, road construction, and river excavation, which accelerated the industrial development of the world.
Passage 7 中国传统艺术
中华民族有着深厚的文化底蕴。中国的传统艺术门类繁多，雅俗共赏，且历史悠久。从民间音乐到地方戏曲，从水墨画(inkwash painting)到书法（calligraphy），从围棋象棋到舞蹈曲艺，都有几千年的积累，都闪烁着智慧之光，令世人赞叹不已。
被称为“中国国粹艺术”(quintessence of Chinese art)的京剧是中国民族戏曲的精华，在国内外都有很大的影响，成为演绎、传播中国传统文化的重要手段。
The Chinese nation has a profound cultural heritage. It developed a great variety of traditional art forms which suit both refined and popular tastes. From folk music to local operas, from inkwash painting to calligraphy, from the game of go and the Chinese chess to folk art and dance, all have a long history and are sparkled with wisdom. Traditional Chinese arts have tremendously impressed the world.
Peking Opera, known as “the quintessence of Chinese art”, is China’s national opera. It enjoys a high reputation both inside and outside China and becomes an important way to spread Chinese traditional culture.
Passage 8 中国古代文学
中国文学是中国文化中最有活力、最灿烂辉煌的一部分。它承载了中华民族的理念信仰，表现出独特的个性和风采。中国古代文学形式多样，从远古神话、汉乐府（Yuefu Songs of the Han Dynasty）、唐诗宋词、到元杂居及明清小说，连绵数千年。
在中华文学灿烂的长卷中，唐诗宋词是其中最为绚丽的华章。直至今日，唐诗宋词还为人们所喜闻乐见。《唐诗三百首》（Three Hundred Tang Poems）和《宋词三百首》（Three Hundred Song Ci Poems）是许多家庭必备的读物。很多有名的诗词作品还被重新谱曲，广为传唱。
Literature is the most dynamic and splendid part of Chinese culture. It reflected Chinese people’s faith for ideal society and demonstrated the distinctive Chinese character. For centuries, diversified literary forms have come into being, including mythology in primeval times, Yuefu Songs of the Han Dynasty, poems and Ci in the Tang and Song dynasties, dramas of the Yuan dynasty, and novels in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
In the long volume of Chinese literature, Tang Poetry and Song Ci Poetry are two of the most brilliant chapters. Till today, Tang poems and Song Ci poems are still favored by the masses. The book Three Hundred Tang Poems and the book Three Hundred Song Ci Poems are regarded as a must for many Chinese families, and a great many the renowned poems have been set to new tunes for extensive singing.
Passage 9 中国语言
汉语是中华民族使用的语言。汉语历史悠久，在3000多年前就有了相当成熟的文字。
汉语是使用人数最多的语言之一，除了中国，新加坡、马来西亚等国也有相当一部分人使用汉语，分布在世界各地的几千万华侨、华裔，也以汉语的各种方言作为自己的母语。
汉语的标准语是“普通话”。它以北京语音为标准音，以北方话为基础方言，以典范的现代白话文（vernacular Chinese）作为语法规范。普通话为中国不同地区、不同民族之间的交际提供了方便。
Used by the Han people in China, the Chinese language has a long history, having established a fairly mature written language more than 3000 years ago.
The Chinese language is spoken by the greatest number of people. In addition to China, some people in Singapore and Malaysia also speak Chinese, and millions of overseas Chinese and foreign citizens of Chinese origin distributed around the world use various Chinese dialects as native language (mother tongue).
The standard language of Chinese is Putonghua (Mandarin). It has the Beijing pronunciation as its standard pronunciation, the northern dialect as its basic dialect, and the typical modern vernacular Chinese as its grammatical standard. Mandarin offers convenience for communication between people in different areas or of different ethnic groups in China.
Passage 10中西文化差异
美国人强调效率、竞争和独创性，而中国人则将严谨规划放在首位，鼓励团队成员之间的密切合作和无私奉献。在美国学校，讨论享有至高无上的地位，讨论是课堂教学的主旋律；而中国教师喜欢讲课，喜欢考试，编写千篇一律的标准教案，培养整齐划一的高材生。美国人的政治观，经济观以及社会观的核心是个人道德自治观。中国传统的思想体系是以儒家学说为基础的，这种思想强调整体和谐。
American people emphasize efficiency, competition and originality while Chinese people give priority to careful planning and encourage close cooperation and altruistic dedication among team members. In American schools, discussion is given top priority while Chinese teachers like to lecture in class, and a lot of them are obsessed with examinations. They write consistent and standardized teaching plans, and are happy with bringing up identical and standardized talents. Central to American political, economic and social thought is the concept of individual moral autonomy. Traditional Chinese philosophical systems are based on Confucianism, which sings high praises for communal harmony.
Passage 11中国大都市---上海
朝气蓬勃，充满活力，丰富多彩的上海是现代中国的缩影（epitome）。虽然上海的文化遗迹不能与北京媲美，但是上海迷人的城市风貌，风格各异的万国建筑为这座城市注入了无限的魅力。今日之上海，已经成为享誉中外的国际大都市。漫步在这座日新月异的现代大都市（metropolis）里，你会发现许多精彩的历史亮点，隐现在众多摩天大楼（skyscraper）背后的是上海发展变化的轨迹。它们记述了上海自十九世纪末开埠以来，尤其是新中国成立以后，是如何迅猛发展的。
Shanghai is a dynamic, diverse and stimulating city ------ the very epitome of modern China. Though Shanghai cannot rival Beijing in cultural heritage, its varied architectural styles and cosmopolitan feel give it a charm of its own. Today's Shanghai has become a world-famous international metropolis. A walk through this booming city reveals many glimpses of its colorful past. Hidden amongst the skyscrapers are remains of the original Shanghai. They keep on showing how Shanghai has been developing fast and enormously since its opening as a commercial port in the late 19th century, especially after the founding of new China.
Passage 12 中国传统节日---端午节
端午节，又叫龙舟节，是为了纪念爱国诗人屈原。屈原是一位忠诚和受人敬仰的大臣（minister）,他给国家带来了和平和繁荣。但最后因为受到诽谤（vilify）而最终投河自尽。人们撑船到他自尽的地方，抛下粽子，希望鱼儿吃粽子，不要吃屈原的身躯。几千年来，端午节的特色在于吃粽子（glutinous dumplings）和赛龙舟，尤其是在一些河湖密布的南方省份。
The Duanwu Festival, also called the Dragon Boat Festival, is to commemorate the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a loyal and highly esteemed minister, who brought peace and prosperity to the state but ended up drowning himself in a river as a result of being vilified. People got to the spot by boat and cast glutinous dumplings into the water, hoping that the fishes ate the dumplings instead of Qu Yuan’s body. For thousands of years, the festival has been marked by glutinous dumplings and dragon boat races, especially in the southern provinces where there are plentiful rivers and lakes.
Passage 13 中国历史名城----澳门
澳门(Macao)，南海之滨一颗闪耀的明珠，以她的风采、沧桑和辉煌，更以1999年12月20日这个不同寻常的日子，吸引着全世界的目光。自古以来，澳门就是中国的领土，中华儿女世世代代在这里繁衍生息。早在80年代，世纪伟人(great figure)就提出了一国两制(One Country, Two Systems) 的伟大构想。1997年7月1日，中华人民共和国恢复对行使主权(resume one's sovereignty over)。1999年，澳门彻底结束外国管治，回到祖国怀抱，这是中华民族的又一件历史盛事，它标志着中国人民向着祖国统一的伟大目标又迈出了重大的步。澳门的明天一定会更好美好。
A shining pearl on the coast of South China, Macao attracts the world’s attention for her charm, history of great events and glory, especially for the unusual date of December 20, 1999. Macao has been the territory of China ever since the ancient times. The Chinese people have been living and working there for generations. Early in the 80s, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, one of the great figures of the century, put forward the bold concept of “One country, two systems”.
On July 1, 1997, the People’s Republic of China resumed her sovereignty over Hong Kong. This year, Macao completely got rid of the foreign regime and returned to motherland. This is another great historical event for the Chinese people. It symbolizes another big step for the Chinese people on their way towards the great goal of the country’s reunification. Macao’s future is sure to be even brighter.
Passage 14 中国传统民俗---狮舞
狮舞（Lion Dance）是中国最广为流传的民间舞蹈之一。狮为百兽之首，在中国传统中，狮子被视为是能带来好运的吉祥物（mascot）。古人将狮子视作是勇敢和力量的化身，能驱赶、保护人类。据记载，狮舞已拥有了2,000多年的历史。在唐代（the Tang Dynasty），狮舞就已经被引入了皇室。因此，舞狮成为元宵节（the Lantern Festival）和其他节日的习俗，人们以此来祈祷好运、平安和幸福。
The Lion Dance is one of the most widespread folk dances in China. The lion is the king of animals. In Chinese tradition, the lion is regarded as a mascot, which can bring good luck. Ancient people regarded the lion as a symbol of braveness and strength, which could drive away evil and protect humans. The dance has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years. During the Tang Dynasty, the Lion Dance was already introduced into the royal family of the dynasty. Therefore, performing the lion dance at the Lantern Festival and other festive occasions became a custom where people could pray for good luck, safety and happiness.
Passage 15
越来越多受英文教育的海外华人父母，已经认识到孩子在掌握不可或缺的英文的同时，也通晓中文的重要性。中国的崛起，让他们充分认识到孩子掌握双语的好处——既能增加他们的就业机会，也能让他们接触和熟悉东西方两种不同的文化。这些人对中文的态度几乎没有完全改变。曾几何时，他们还非常骄傲地宣称自己只懂英文。现在，他们已开始积极支持孩子学习中文和中国文化，而且还不时走访中国，欣赏壮观的自然风光，认识丰富的文化遗产。
An increasing number of English-educated Chinese parents overseas have come to the realization that while English learning is indispensable to their children, it is essential that their kids have a good command of Chinese. China’s rise has fully awakened their awareness of the fact that their kids can benefit from their bilingual ability which can not only enhance their competitiveness in the job market, but also facilitate their exposure to and familiarity with the two different cultures between the East and the West. They have hardly changed their attitudes towards Chinese.
At one time they proudly declared that they knew English only. Now, they have begun to give full support to their kids learning Chinese and its culture, and they also make occasional visits to China, where they can enjoy its magnificent natural landscape and get to know its rich cultural heritage.
Passage 16
中国将进一步发展经济、扩大开放，这对海外企业（enterprises）意味着更多的商机。改革开放以来，中国企业与海外企业一直积极开展经济技术合作，并取得了巨大成就。海外企业不仅帮助了中国企业的成长，而且也在合作中获得了收益。中国将继续提供有利的和条件，推动中国企业与国外企业进一步开展合作。
China will develop its economy further and open itself wider to the outside world, which offers more business opportunities to overseas enterprises.
Since China’s reform and opening up, Chinese enterprises have been cooperating with over seas enterprises in terms of economy and technology, and have scored great achievement. Overseas enterprises have not only helped Chinese enterprises with their growth, but also benefited from the cooperation. Chinese government will continue to offer favorable policies and conditions to promote the further cooperation between Chinese and overseas enterprises.
Passage 17
传统中国家庭中，成年子女与年长父母住在同一屋檐下。自1974年中国实行独生子女（one-child policy）以来，中国家庭经历了许多变化。其中一个变化是核心家庭(nuclear family)成为主导。当独生子女因为读大学或结婚而离开家庭时，父母才四五十岁。他们比其他国家育有多个子女的父母更早经历空巢综合症（empty-nest syndrome）。他们忽然感到孤独、沮丧、无用、消沉。所有这些社会、心理和生理上的变化同时发生，使得父母的生活质量下降。生活对于他们来说变得更加有挑战性，更加艰难。
Traditionally in Chinese families, adult children live with their elderly parents under the same roof. Since China implemented the one-child policy in 1974, Chinese families have experienced many changes. One of them is the dominance of the nuclear family in China.
When the only child leaves home for university or marriage, the parents are in their forties or fifties. Parents suffer from empty-nest syndrome earlier than those with more children in some other countries. They suddenly feel lonely, sad, useless and depressive. All these social, psychological and biological changes happen simultaneously, which worsens parents’ living quality. Life becomes more challenging and tough for them.
Passage 18 中国的历法
农历(lunar calendar)已使用了数千年。今天，我们依然用农历来表示中国的传统节日。农历由中国古代的朝代衍生而来。现今使用的农历形成于公元前104年，汉朝汉武帝(Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty)统治时期。该农历被称为太初历(taichu calendar)，跟今天使用的农历是一样的。农历中的每一年都以一种动物来命名，如2012年是“龙年”。共有12种动物，每12年循环一次。
【词汇注释】
农历 lunar calendar
数千年 thousands of years
传统节日 traditional holiday
汉朝 the Han Dynasty
武帝 Emperor Wu
太初历 taichu calendar
龙年 year of the dragon
【翻译难点】
1． 今天，我们依然用农历表示中国的传统节日：即“中国的传统节日是农历的节日”，其中“中国的传统节日”可译为traditional Chinese festivals;“农历的节日”用lunar calendar festivals表示。故文中可翻译为Today the traditional Chinese festivals are still lunar calendar festivals.
2． 农历由中国古代的朝代衍生而来:“衍生而来”可用originate in表示：“朝代”可译为dynasty;“中国古代的朝代”可译为the Chinese ancient dynasties。故文中可译为The lunar calendar originated in the Chinese ancient dynasties.
3． 农历中的每一年都以一种动物来命名，如2012年是“龙年”：“命名”可翻译为name after;“龙年”可翻译成year of the dragon。故文中翻译为Each year in the lunar calendar is named after an animal. For example, 2012 was the "year of the dragon".
【参考译文】
The lunar calendar has been used for thousands of years. Today the traditional Chinese festivals are still lunar calendar festivals. The lunar calendar originated in the Chinese ancient dynasties. The current calendar was created during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in 104 BC. This calendar, which was called the taichu calendar, is the same lunar calendar as the one used nowadays. Each year in the lunar calendar is named after an animal. For example, 2012 was the "year of the dragon". There are 12 animals. Every 12 years the cycle repeats itself.
Passage 19 元朝的文化
元朝(the Yuan Dynasty)时期形成了十分丰富的多元文化。主要的文化成就包括戏剧和小说的发展。蒙古人(the Mongols)与西亚、欧洲保持了广泛的文化交流。西方的乐器被引入中国，丰富了中国的表演艺术。中国的一些重要发明也被传到了欧洲。西方人最早的旅行记录也开始于这个时期。这个时期最著名的旅行家是马可·波罗(Marco Polo)。与西方的交流也给中国带来了一些外国食品。
【词汇注释】
元朝the Yuan Dynasty
文化成就cultural achievement
文化交流cultural contact
表演艺术performing art
马可·波罗Marco Polo
【翻译难点】
1．元朝时期形成了十分丰富的多元文化：“元朝”可译为the Yuan Dynasty，可作句子的状语：“丰富的”可译为abundant：“多元文化”译为cultural diversity，可作句子的主语。故文中翻译为An abundant cultural diversity developed during the Yuan Dynasty.
2．保持了广泛的文化交流：“广泛的”可用 extensive表示：“文化交流”可译为cultural contact 或可用cultural exchange表j<。故文中翻译为kept an extensive cultural contact。
3．西方的乐器被引入中国，丰富了中国的表演艺术：该句由两部分组成，后半句为前半句的补充说明，可使用Which引导的非性定语从句。其中“乐器”可译为 musical instruments;“引入”即“被引入”， 可译为be introduced to：“表演艺术”可翻译为 performing art。故原文可翻译为Western musical instruments were introduced to China, which enriched the Chinese performing arts.
【参考译文】
An abundant cultural diversity developed during the Yuan Dynasty. The main cultural achievements include the development of drama and novel. The Mongols kept an extensive cultural contact with West Asia and Europe. Western musical instruments were introduced to China, which enriched the Chinese performing arts. Some important Chinese innovations were spreaded to Europe. The first records on the trip of the Westerners also date back to this time. The most famous traveler of this period was Marco Polo. The communication with the West also brought some foreign food to China.
Passage20 长城的修建
建造长城(the Great Wall)是为了防御来自蒙古(Mongolia)的北方入侵者。多年来，人们已经建造了一些较矮小的城墙，但是秦始皇(Qin Shi Huang)决定建造一座巨大的城墙来保卫他北边的疆土。长城始建于秦朝，后续的朝代进行继续建造。后来，明朝重建了长城。我们今天所说的长城绝大部分都是明朝建造的。长城是由农民、奴隶、犯人以及皇帝决定惩罚的人建造的。
【翻译难点】
1．建造长城是为了防御来自蒙古的北方入侵者：可用defend against表达：“北方入侵者”可翻译为northern invaders。故文中翻译为The Great Wall was built to defend against the northern invaders from Mongolia.
2．长城始建于秦朝：可翻译为the construction of the Great Wall started in the Qin Dynasty。3．重建：可翻译为rebuild。
4．我们今天所说的长城：可翻译为the so-called Great Wall today。
【参考译文】
The Great Wall was built to defend against the northern invaders from Mongolia. Smaller and shorter walls had been built over the years, while Qin Shi Huang decided to build a single giant wall to protect his northern borders. The construction of the Great Wall started in the Qin Dynasty and the following dynasties continued to work on it. Later, the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the wall. Most parts of the so-called Great Wall today were built in the Ming Dynasty. The wall was built by peasants, slaves, criminals, and other people that the emperor decided to punish.
Passage 21 郑和下西洋
郑和是一位伟大的中国探险家和舰队指挥官。他主要进行了七次探险活动，为中国皇帝( Chinese emperor)探索了世界，并在新的区域建立了与中国的贸易联系。永乐帝(Emperor Yongle)想向世界其他国家展示中华帝国(the Chinese Empire)的荣耀与权力，同时还想与世界其他国家建立贸易联系。于是他任命郑和为首席特使(Chief Envoy)，命他成立一个舰队去探索世界。郑和指挥了一个大型舰队，第一次航海时估计有超过200艘船，将近28000人。
【词汇注释】
舰队指挥官fleet commander
中国皇帝Chinese emperor
永乐帝Emperor Yongle
中华帝国the Chinese Empire
首席特使Chief Envoy
【翻译难点】
1．探险活动：可译为expedition。
2．永乐帝想向世界其他国家展示中华帝国的荣耀与权力，同时还想与世界其他国家建立贸易联系：“荣耀与权力”可译为glory and power;“建立贸易联系”可用establish the business relations表示。故文中翻译为The Emperor Yongle wanted to show off the glory and power of the Chinese Empire to the world. He also wanted to establish the business relations with other countries.
3．他任命郑和为首席特使：“任命”可译为appoint，故文中翻译为he appointed Zheng He as the Chief Envoy。
【参考译文】
Zheng He was a great Chinese and fleet commander His seven main expeditions explored the world for the Chinese emperors and established the trade links between China and new areas. The Emperor Yongle wanted to show off the glory and power of the Chinese Empire to the world. He also wanted to establish the business relations with other countries. So, he appointed Zheng He as the Chief Envoy and asked him to set up a fleet to explore the world. Zheng He commanded a large fleet, whose first voyage was estimated to have over 200 ships and nearly 28, 000 men.
Passage 22.
早在春秋时期，杂技（acrobatics）艺术就在中国初次登场（make one’s debut）了。最早发展起来的杂技形式是力量型杂技，战士们用手去旋转（whirl）很重的车轮。在汉代，杂技表演变成了很重要的娱乐项目，在宫殿宴席（palace banquet）上以及寻常百姓的庆祝场合中经常被观看。古代杂技代代相传。在1949年中华人民共和国成立之后，杂技迅猛发展。而今，已经有数不胜数的杂技团（acrobatic troupe），它们甚至经常被派出国表演。
翻译注释：
春秋时期：the Spring and Autumn Period；“早在……”这里可译为As early as
初次登场：这里可译为make its debut
力量型杂技：strength acrobatics
最早发展起来的：可译为作后置定语的developed，使译文简洁
战士们：warriors（多用于过去的冷兵器时代），而soldiers多指现代士兵
汉代：the Han Dynasty
场合：这里未必需要译出，因此“庆祝场合”用celebrations即可
被观看：可译为enjoyed …，也作后置定语，使原文的前后两句译为一个简单句，很简洁
相传：hand down
数不胜数：countless
派出国表演：be sent abroad to perform
参考译文：
As early as in the Spring and Autumn Period, the art of acrobatics made its debut in China. The first type of acrobatics developed was strength acrobatics, with warriors whirling heavy wheels with their hands. In the Han Dynasty, acrobatic shows became important amusements frequently enjoyed at palace banquets as well as celebrations of the common people. Ancient acrobatics was handed down from generation to generation. After the founding of the PRC in 1949, acrobatics developed rapidly. Now, there are countless acrobatic troupes which are even sent abroad to perform.
Passage 23
世界上拥有书法（calligraphy）艺术的民族屈指可数。其中，唯有中国书法具有最悠久的历史，传播得最为广泛，同民族文化保持着密切的关系。中国书法看似十分简单，仿佛凡是能使用毛笔在宣纸（Xuan paper）上书写汉字的人似乎就成了书法家，其实不然。书法作为一种艺术形式，是玄妙而精深的，因此能够真正走进书法艺术境界（artistic realm）的书法家并不多。
翻译注释：
屈指可数：few，或few in number，或one of a handful of
传播最为广泛：the most popular，或enjoy the greatest popularity
保持密切的关系：maintain a close relationship with/ be intimately related to
汉字：Chinese characters
毛笔：a writing brush
书法家：calligrapher
“仿佛凡是能……书法家”：翻译时注意as if从句和anyone后定语从句的使用
玄妙而精深：这里完全意译为involves a great deal of theory and requires many skills，也可考虑译为subtle but profound或mysterious and profound
参考译文：
Few nations in the world have calligraphy as a form of art. In particular, Chinese calligraphy has the longest history, enjoys the greatest popularity, and has maintained a close relationship with the national culture. Chinese calligraphy looks simple. It seems as if anyone that can write Chinese characters on Xuan paper with a writing brush could become a calligrapher, but it’s not. Calligraphy is a form of art that involves a great deal of theory and requires many skills, so there are not many calligraphers that have reached the artistic realm of calligraphy.
Passage 24
自1978年改革开放以来，中国经济增长了90倍，是增长最快的主要经济体。预测2012至2016年，年均GDP增长会保持9.5%。中国是世界最大的出口国，第二大进口国。它也是世界第二大奢侈品消费国。目前的GDP位于世界第二，大约6万亿美元，相当于美国的四成。中国是世界工厂。每三件家具，三件玩具，两双鞋子，两件衣服中，就有一件是由中国制造的。
翻译注释：
改革开放：economic opening up and reform policy
主要经济体：major economy
预测：be predicted to…或It is predicted that…
年均GDP增长：annual average GDP growth
出口国、进口国：exporter, importer
奢侈品：luxury goods
6万亿美元：6 trillion US dollars
四成：40 percent of…
“每三件……衣服中”：可以合在一句话中进行简洁的翻译
Passage 25
中国人民共和国，简称中国，位于东亚，与14个国家或地区接壤。它是世界上人口最多的国家，有13亿人口。中国有56个民族，汉族占总人口92%。汉语是世界上使用最广泛也是外国人最难懂的语言之一。汉语方言很多，使用最广的是普通话和粤语。汉语发源于象形文字(hieroglyph)，有超过四万个汉字。受过良好教育的人能认识约六千个字。阅读报纸需要认识三千字左右。
翻译注释：
简称：commonly known as
位于：be located in
接壤：border（作动词用）
民族：ethnic groups
占（比例）：account for/ make up
使用最广泛：most widely used/ most widely spoken
方言：dialect
普通话和粤语：Mandarin and Cantonese
发源于：evolve from/ originate from/ derive from
参考译文：
The People’s Republic of China, commonly known as China, is located in East Asia, and borders 14 nations or districts in the world. It is the most populous country in the world with a 1.3 billion population. There are 56 distinctive ethnic groups, with Han Chinese accounting for 92% of its whole population. Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world as well as one of the most complicated for foreigners. There are many regional dialects of Chinese although the most widely spoken is Mandarin and Cantonese. Chinese characters evolved over time from earlier forms of hieroglyphs. Chinese contains over 40,000 characters, and a well-educated person can recognize around 6,000 characters. Some 3,000 are required to read a newspaper.下载本文
