1、 Trade and curiosity have often formed the foundation of mankinds greatest achievements.To complete the great map of the world was a strong passion for the people of early civilisations.形成形成.的基础的基础不定式做主语不定式做主语a passion for.对.酷爱n.强烈情感；激情 Marco Polos tales inspired European explorers to search for sea
2、 routes from west to east.However,merchants and explorers from the East set sail from east to west many years before Columbus first did.set sail for.起航到起航到.In ancient times,silk from China found its way overland to India,the Middle East,and Rome,along what became known as the Silk Road.A trading rou
3、te across the sea was also extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean,centred around Ceylon(now Sri Lanka).find ones way to.找到通往找到通往.的路的路经由陆路的经由陆路的宾从宾从作为作为.而闻名而闻名=the road which过去分词作定语过去分词作定语 Here,merchants from China and many other places met to negotiate trade deals,which also led to more aware
4、ness of each others cultures.Over the centuries,further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China,as recorded in Du Huans Record of My Travels in the eighth century.正如，好像正如，好像n.协议协议 negotiate a deal 达成交易达成交易 Later,the Ming Dynasty further developed relations with these reg
5、ions.Between 1405 and 1433,seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration.These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time.壮观的景象壮观的景象of ones own 独立地独立地 Under the command of Zheng He,they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean t
6、o the mouth of the Red Sea,and then to the east coast of Africa.under the command of sb.在某人的指挥下在某人的指挥下=under sbs command红海口红海口n.n.控制；指挥控制；指挥v.v.命令；指挥命令；指挥command that 从句从句+(should)do命令命令(某人某人)做某事做某事 African royal families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in return for gold,silk,
7、and spices.as a gesture of.表示表示.姿态姿态;表示表示作为对作为对.的回报的回报 Although China withdrew from further expeditions after 1433,these land and sea routes remained active channels between other cultures for centuries.退出；撤回退出；撤回探险；远征；考察探险；远征；考察 To reach out across the sea remains a strong desire today.The ancient
8、sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road,which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.过去分词作定语过去分词作定语v.重提；再次讨论重提；再次讨论一带一路倡议一带一路倡议跨越海洋跨越海洋 The aim of this initiative is to encourage cooperation and trade across the historic Silk Road areas,and stre
9、ngthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world.Trading has grown greatly in recent years,and will continue to do so in years to come.在未来几年里在未来几年里 China has invested billions in systems and services along these routes,which will help to greatly develop the whole area for the benefit of futu
10、re trade and cultural exchange.为了为了.的的利益利益交换；交流交换；交流 China has also joined its friends across the sea on other important projects.Although the ancient sea routes of Zheng He have been travelled many times,there are still many other places left to explore.走遍；行进；长途行走走遍；行进；长途行走 In recent years,China ha
11、s 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.观点；考虑角度观点；考虑角度there is a need to do sth.有必要做某事有必要做某事 Hundreds of years on,and with the latest technology in hand,the need to trade and the desire to enhance relationships will drive China to reach out across the sea far into the future.数百年过去了数百年过去了在手头；可供使用在手头；可供使用at handat first handby handhand in hand在附近；近在手边在附近；近在手边亲自；第一手亲自；第一手用手工用手工手拉手手拉手提高提高;增强增强v.迫使；驱使迫使；驱使drive sb.to do sth.驱使某人做某事驱使某人做某事
