英語六級翻譯題占六級總分的15%。答題時間為30分鐘。為了幫助大家熟悉翻譯題型，@滬江英語四六級微信公眾號特意準備了2023年12月英語六級翻譯常考話題預測（5）：四大發明，快來一起練習吧！
2023年12月英語六級翻譯常考話題預測（5）：四大發明
預測一
中國是世界上公認發明指南針的國家。早在2400多年前，中國人就創造出世界上最早的指南針。后來經過不斷改進，到宋朝(the Song Dynasty)人們制造出鐵針指南針并應用于航海。中國是第一個在海船上使用指南針的國家。指南針為明代(the Ming Dynasty)鄭和下西洋提供了條件。后來指南針傳入歐洲，推動了歐洲航海事業的發展為，哥倫布(Columbus)的航行提供了技術保證。
參考譯文：
China is universally recognized as the country that invented the compass. As early as 2,400 years ago, Chinese people created the earliest compass in the world. Later it was further improved continuously. During the Song Dynasty, people produced the compass with iron needles and applied it to navigation. China is the first country to use the compass on seagoing ships. The compass provided aid for Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Ocean in the Ming Dynasty. Later the compass spread into Europe, promoting the development of the European marine industry and guaranteeing technical support for Columbus’ navigation.
預測二
在古代，著作和銘文(inscription)通常寫在竹片或絲綢上。但絲綢昂貴，竹片太重，使用起來都不方便。后來蔡倫開創了用樹皮造紙的方法。傳統上人們認為他是紙張和造紙術的發明者。盡管公元前2世紀中國就已經有了早期的紙，但蔡倫促成了紙張的首次重大改進，并通過添加至關重要的新材料使造紙過程標準化。蔡倫發現了造紙材料的組合方式，發明了造紙術。這項發明使蔡倫聞名于世，甚至使他在有生之年就已經得到了認可。
參考譯文：
In ancient times, writing works and inscriptions were generally written on tablets of bamboo or on pieces of silk. But silk being costly and bamboo heavy, they were both not convenient to use. Then Cai Lun initiated the method of making paper with the bark of trees. Traditionally, he is regarded as the inventor of paper and the technique of papermaking. Although early forms of paper had already existed in China since the 2nd century BC, he fostered the first significant improvement and standardization of papermaking by adding essential new materials into papers composition. Cai found the composition of paper and invented the technique of papermaking. Cai was reputed for this invention in the world, and even in his own lifetime, he was already given recognition for it.
預測三
印刷術發明之前，想出版新書的學者必須一字一字地抄寫。北宋時期，經過多年的實驗，畢昇發明了活字印刷術(movable-type printing)。他把漢字刻在一小塊泥胚(pieces of clay)上，加熱漢字直到其變成硬的活字。印書時,人們按順序將活字擺在一起，印出印跡。印刷完后，他們把字分開，以后重復使用。這種方法既經濟又省時。中國的活字印刷術首先向東傳至朝鮮和日本，之后向西傳至波斯(Persia)和埃及，最后傳遍全球。活字印刷術發明促進了世界各國的文化交流。
參考譯文：
Before printing was invented，a scholar had to copy characters one by one if he wanted to publish a new book. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Bi Sheng invented movable-type printing after many years of experimentation. He engraved the characters on small pieces of clay and heated them until they became hard movable characters. When printing a book，people placed the moveable characters in order into a whole block and then ran off a print. After printing, they took the block apart and reused the characters later. This method was both economical and time-saving. China’s movable-type printing first spread eastward into Korea and Japan, then westward into Persia and Egypt, and at last, around the world. The invention of movable-type printing greatly promoted cultural exchanges among countries all over the world.
預測四
火藥(gunpowder)是最早出現的化學炸藥和推進劑(propellant)。在火藥發明之前，人們使用過許多燃燒彈(incendiary bomb)和燃燒設備。人們通常把火藥的發明歸因于中國的煉金術(alchemy)。眾所周知，火藥被列為中國的“四大發明”之一。這項發明可能早在唐朝就已經研制出來了。由于13世紀蒙古人的征戰，有關火藥的知識被傳到全世界。最晚從14世紀開始，火藥就已經開始被應用于戰爭中并產生了一定的影響。
參考譯文：
Gunpowder was the first chemical explosive and propellant. Prior to the invention of gunpowder, many incendiary bombs and burning devices had been used. The invention of gunpowder is usually attributed to Chinese alchemy. It is known to all that gunpowder is listed as one of the “Four Great Inventions” of China. The invention was made perhaps as early as in the Tang Dynasty. Knowledge of gunpowder was spread throughout the world as a result of the Mongol conquests in the 13th century. It was employed in warfare to some effect from at least the 14th century.
