大学英语四级翻译练习题

　　东汉时期，地震频繁发生。通过对地震的一系列仔细观测，张衡于公元132年发明了地动仪(seismograph)，它是世界上第一个用来识别和确定地震方向的仪器。 地动仪表面上铸(cast)有八条龙，每一条龙的嘴里都有一个铜球。八条龙身下的地面上有八只仰着头的铜蟾蜍(toad)，铜蟾蜍张着的嘴恰与龙口相对。当地震发生时，面朝地震方向的龙口会张开，口中的球将落入蟾蜍的嘴里，自动指明地震的方向。

　　During the Eastern Han period，earthquakesoccurred frequently. Through a series of carefulobservations of earthquakes，Zhang Heng inventedthe seismograph ,in 132 AD, which was the world'sfirst instrument to identify and ascertain thedirection of earthquakes. The seismograph is cast with eight dragons on the surface,and eachdragon has a copper ball in the mouth. On the ground below the dragons there are eightcopper toads raising their heads and opening their mouths opposite to the dragons'mouths.When an earthquake occurred, the dragon facing the direction of the earthquake would openits mouth，and the ball in its mouth would fall into the toad's mouth, automatically indicatingthe direction of the earthquake.

　　丝绸之路(the Silk Road)是世界上最伟大、最重要的贸易通路之一。它是连接中国和欧洲、东方和西方的陆路通道。丝绸之路始于公元前2世纪，汉高祖(Han Emperor)派遣张骞出使西域的时期。丝绸之路极其分散，很少有商人走过整个道 路。大部分地区地形崎岖或有敌对势力的存在，使得丝绸之路非常危险。因此丝 绸和其他商品的供应经常受到限制。

　　The Silk Road is one of the greatest and mostimportant trade routes. It is the overland route thatconnects China and Europe, the East and the West.The Silk Road began in the 2nd century BCE whenHan Emperor gave Zhang Qian the diplomaticmissions of visiting the Western regions. The Silk Road was largely scattered and very fewmerchants ever crossed the whole route. Most of the areas along the road were rugged or withhostile forces, which made the route quite dangerous. Therefore, the supply of silk and othergoods was often limited.