Passage 1北京大学
北京大学于1898年成立,原名为京师大学堂(the Imperial University of Peking)。该大学的成立标志着中国近代史上高等教育的开始。在中国近代史上,它是进步思想的中心,对中国新文化运动、五四运动及其他重要事件的发生颇有影响。今天,国内不少高校排行榜将北京大学放入国内顶尖大学之列。该校重视教学和科学研究。为提高本科生教育和研究生教育质量、保持其领先研究机构的地位,学校已做出很大努力。此外,学校尤以其校园环境及优美的中国传统建筑而闻名。
Originally known as the Imperial University of Peking, Peking University was established in 1898. The establishment of the University marked the beginning of higher education in China's modem history. In modem history of China it was a center for progressive thought and was influential in the birth of China's New Culture Movement May Fourth Movement and many other significant events. Today, Peking University was placed by marry domestic university rankings amongst the top universities in China The university lays emphasis on both teaching, and scientific research. It has made great efforts to improve the undergraduate and graduate education, and maintain its role as a leading research institution In addition, the University is especially renowned for its campus environment and the beauty of its traditional Chinese architecture.
Passage 2 中国的民族
中国以其人口密集、疆域辽阔而著称。作为一个多民族国家,中国共有56个民族,总人口约14亿人。汉族是中华民族的主体民族,约占全国人口的92%.主要分布在东部和中部。而其他少数民族居住相对分散,主要分布在中国的西南、西北和东北部地区。每个少数民族都有与众不同的特点、悠久的传统文化和独特的风俗习惯。中国政府长久以来一直提倡和发展平等、团结的民族关系,强调各民族共同发展、共同繁荣。
以……而著称be noted /famous for 少数民族ethnic minority; minority ethnic group
人口密集dense population 与众不同的特点distinctive character
疆域辽阔vast territory 独特的风俗习惯unique convention
多民族的国家a multinational country 提倡advocate; propose
汉族the Han Nationality 强调highlight; emphasize
分布distribute
China is noted for its dense population and vast territory. As a multinational country, China is home to 56 ethnic groups with a total population of about l.4 billion The Han Nationality is the majority, accounting for 92% 0f the total population which distributes mainly in the east and middle of China; while the ethnic minorities dwell extensively all over China distributing mainly in the southwest, the northwest and the northeast. Each of the minority ethnic groups has a distinctive character, long traditional culture and unique conventions. Chinese government has long been advocating and developing an equal and united ethnic relationship, highlighting the common development and prosperity of all ethnic groups.
Passage 3 中国桥梁
中国的桥梁建设有着悠久的历史中国古代桥梁以木材和石头为主要建筑材料,形式多样,极富特色。中国现存最古老的桥梁为隋代建造的安济桥,位于河北省赵县安济桥又名赵州桥,桥长50.82关,桥宽9米,为国家重点保护的文物(cultural relic). 清朝末年,兰州黄河铁桥建成,标志着中国桥梁建设进入了以钢铁和混凝土( concrete)为主要材料的时期:如今,中国的桥梁建设保持着多项世界记录,中国跻身于世界桥梁建设强国行列.
桥梁建设bridge construction/building 末年late years; last years: final years
有着悠久的历史boast/have a long history 进入了……的时期step into an era of___
形式多样vary in forms 世界记录world record
极富特色be highly distinct 跻身……行列stand among..
现存的existing 强国giant; powerful country; power
国家重点保护的key national protected
China boasts a long history in bridge construction. With wood and stone as the major building materials, Chinese ancient bridges vary in forms and are highly distinct. Constructed in the Sui Dynasty, Anji Bridge, which is located in Zhao County, Hebei Province, is the oldest existing bridge in China. Anji Bridge, also named Zhaozhou Bridge, is a key national protected cultural relic measuring a length of 50.82 meters and a width of 9 meters. In the late years of the Qing Dynasty, Huanghe Iron Bridge in Lanzhou was completed, symbolizing that China's bridge construction stepped into an era of adopting steel and concrete as the main materials for bridges. Now, bearing many world records, China stands among world giants in bridge construction.
Passage 4 中国菜
中国菜( cuisine)是中国各地区、各民族各种菜肴的统称,也指发源于中国的烹饪方式。中国菜历史悠久,流派( genre)众多,主要代表菜系有“八大菜系”。每一菜系因气候、地理、历史、烹饪技巧和生活方式的差异而风格各异。中国菜的调料( seasoning)丰富多样,调料的不同是形成地方特色菜的主要原因之一。中国菜强调色、香、味俱佳,味是菜肴的灵魂:中国饮食文化博大精深,作为世界三大菜系之一的中国菜,在海内外享有盛誉。
地区region 烹饪技巧cooking technique
民族ethnic group 丰富多样a rich variety of…;rich and varied
统称general term 特色菜special dishes
烹饪方式c:ooking style 强调lay emphasis on; emphasize
代表representative 博大精深extensive/broad and profound
气候climate 享有盛誉enjoy a high reputation
地理geography
Chinese cuisine is a general term for the various foods from diverse regions and ethnic groups of China. It also refers to cooking styles originating from China. With a long history, Chinese cuisine has a number of different genres, the main representatives of which are "Eight Cuisines". Every cuisine is distinctive from one another due to the differences in climate, geography, history, cooking techniques and lifestyle. Chinese cuisine contains a rich variety of seasonings, which is one of main factors contributing to different local special dishes. Chinese cuisine lays emphasis on the perfect combination of color, flavor, and taste, and the soul of the dishes is taste. Chinese cuisine culture is extensive and profound, and Chinese cuisine, one of the Three World Cuisines, enjoys a high reputation home and abroad.
Passage 5 四大发明
中国的四大发明包括指南针、火药、造纸术和印刷术:它们是中国在人类文明史上占有重要地位的标志之一。第一个指南针产生于战国时期(the Warring States Period),是利用天然磁石(natural magnet)来辨别方向的一种简单仪器。火药发明于隋唐时期,主要应用于军事领域:造纸术于东汉年间由蔡伦改进,使纸成为人们普遍使用的书写材料。印刷术,又称活字印刷术,大大促进了文化的传播:四大发明对世界经济的发展和人类文化的进步做出了巨大的贡献。
四大发明four great inventions 辨别方向identify/recognize directions
造纸术the paper-making technique 仪器device
印刷术the printing technique 改进develop; improve
人类文明史the history of human civilization 促进promote
占有重要地位occupy an important position 对……做出巨大的贡献make tremendous contribution to
利用employ; use
Four great inventions of China include the compass, gun powder, the paper-making technique and the printing technique. They are one of the marks that China occupies an important position in the history of human civilization. The first compass was invented during the Warring States Period. It was a simple device employing natural magnets to identify directions. Gunpowder was invented in Sui and Tang Dynasties and was mainly used in military areas. The paper-making technique was developed by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty, making paper a commonly used writing material. The printing technique, also called movable type printing, promoted the spread of culture significantly. The four great inventions of China made tremendous contribution to the development of the world's economy and the progress of the culture of mankind.
Passage 6 丝绸之路
丝绸之路( the Silk Road)是中国古代最著名的贸易路线:在这条路上运输的商品中,丝绸占很大部分,因此得名“丝绸之路”。丝绸之路起点始于长安,终点远达印度、罗马等国家。丝绸之路从汉代开始形成,到唐代达到鼎盛,骆驼曾是丝绸之路上的主要交通工具。中国的造纸、印刷等伟大发明通过这条路传播到了西方,而佛教( Buddhism)等宗教也被引入中国。丝绸之路不仅仅是古代国际贸易路线,更