1、UNIT3 SEA EXPLORATIION Trade and curiosity have often formed the foundation of mankinds area test achievements. To complete the great map of the world was a strong passion for the people of early civilizations. 贸易和好奇心通常构成人类最伟大成就的基础。在早期文明中，人们对绘制世界大地图充满激情。 Marco Polos tales inspired European explorers
2、 to search for sea routes from west to east.However, merchants and explorers from the East set sail from east to west many years before Columbus first did. 马可波罗的故事(tale)激励了欧洲探险家寻找自西向东的海上航线。然而，在哥伦布首次启航(set sail)之前许多年，东方的商人(merchant)和探险家就已经开始自东向西航行。 In ancient times,silk from China found its way overl
3、and to India,the Middle East,and Rome,along what became known as the Silk Road.A trading route across the sea was also extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean. centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)Here,merchants from China and many other places met to negotiate trade deals which also led to mo
4、re awareness of each others cultures. 在古代，来自中国的丝绸沿陆路运至印度、中东和罗马，这条路后来就是闻名遐迩的丝绸之路。以锡兰(今斯里兰卡)为中心的一条横跨海洋的贸易路线沿印度洋海岸延伸(extend)。在这里，来自中国和其他许多地方的商人汇聚一起，洽谈(negotiate)贸易协议，这也增进了对彼此文化的认识。 Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China,as recorded in Du Huans R
5、ecord of My Travels in the eighth century. 几个世纪间，随着贸易的发展，对中国以西地区的探索增多了，这些在八世纪杜环所著的经行记一书中有所记载。 Later, the Ming Dynasty further developed relations with these relations.Between 1405 and 1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration.These fleets were a sight to behold and wer
6、e in a league of their own at that time.Under the command of Zheng He ,they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea,and then to the east coast of Africa. 后来，明朝进一步发展了与这些地区的关系。1405年至1433年间，七支大型船队(fleet)西渡重洋，开展贸易和探索。当时，这些船队极为壮观，独领风骚(in a league of ones own)
7、。在郑和的指挥下，船队从南中国海起航,穿越印度洋，直抵红海口,然后前往非洲东海岸。 African royal families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in return for gold,silk,and spices.Although China withdrew from further expeditions after1433. these land and sea routes remained active channels between other cultures for centurie
8、s. 非洲王室(royal)赠送长颈鹿等礼物以示友好，同时也是作为他们获得黄金、丝绸和香料(spice)的回赠尽管1433年后中国停止(withdrawfrom)了进一步的探索，但在随后的几个世纪，这些陆地和海洋路线仍是与其他文化之间的活跃通道(channel)。 To reach out across the sea remains a strong desire today.The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road,whi
9、ch is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.The aim of this initiative is to encourage cooperation and trade across the historic Silk Road areas and strengthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world. 今天，跨海越洋依旧是人们强烈的渴望。作为“一带一路”倡议的组成部分，“21世纪海上 maritime)丝绸之路”让郑和曾经走过的古代海上航线再度受到关注。这项倡议旨在鼓励横跨历史悠
10、久的丝绸之路地区的合作与贸易，同时加强中国与世界其他地区之间的联系(bond)。 Trading has grown greatly in recent years,and will continue to do so in years to come.China has invested billions in systems and services along these routes,which will help to greatly develop the whole area for the benefit of future trade and cultural exchang
11、e. 近年来，贸易增长迅猛，未来几年也将继续增长。中国已经在这些沿线地区的运输系统和服务上投入了数十亿美元，这将促进整个地区实现大发展，有利于未来的贸易和文化交流。 China has also joined its friends across the sea on other important projects.Although the ancient s ea routes of Zheng He have been travelled many times,there are still many other places left to explore. In recent yea
12、rs,China has joined other nations on several expeditions to explore the Arctic.From a scientific point of view,there is an urgent need to study the Arctic in order to understand climate change and its effects. 中国还与海洋彼岸的友邦一起参与了其他重要项目。尽管郑和的古代海上路线已经重走很多次了，但仍有许多其他地方有待探索。近年来，中国与其他国家一道开展了多次北极考察。从科学角度看,迫切需
13、要研究北极，以了解气候变化及其影响。 Hundreds of years on. and with the latest technology in hand.the need to trade and the desire t o enhance relationships will drive China to reach out across the sea far into the future. 数百年过去了，由于拥有了最新技术，在贸易的必要性和增进关系的愿望的驱动下，中国将跨海越洋，迈向未来。 reach out伸出;提供援助 form the foundation of 构成的基
14、础 Marco Polo 马可波罗 tale 故事;叙述 inspire sb. to do sth.激励某人做某事 searchfor寻找(动词短语) in search of寻找(介词短语) merchant n.商人;批发商adj.海上货运的 set sail 起航;开航 Columbus 哥伦布 in ancient times 在古代 becomeknown as作为变得出名 extend vt.扩展;使伸长;延长 (be)centredaround以为中心 Ceylon 锡兰(斯里兰卡的旧称) negotiate vt.商定;达成(协议) vi.谈判;磋商;协商.lead to m
15、ore awareness of促成对的更多了解 develop relations with 发展与的关系 fleet n.舰队;机群;车队 behold vt.(beheld beheld)看;看见 a sight to behold壮观的景象，值得一看的风景 in a league of ones own独领风骚 league n.等级;水平;联合会;联赛 under the command of在的指挥下 royal adj.皇家的;王室的;高责的 in return for作为的报答/交换 spice n.(调味)香料 withdraw from 退出;撤回 channel n.航道
16、;海峡;频道 maritime adj.海的;海运的;海事的 the Belt and Road Initiative“_带一路”倡议 bond n.纽带;关系vt.& vi.增强信任关系;使牢固结合 strengthen the bonds between. and加强与之间的联系 the rest of 剩余的，其他的 for the benefit of 为了的利益 cultural exchange文化交流 point of view 观点，立场 an urgent need 迫切需要 in hand在手头;可供使用 enhance relationships 加强关系 drive sb.to do sth.推动/迫某人做某事THANKS
