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中国结（the Chinese knot）最初是由手工 艺人发明的， 经过数百年不断的改进，已经 成为一种优雅多彩的艺术和工艺。在古代， 人们用它来记录事件，但现在主要用于装饰 的目的。“结”在中文里意味着爱情、婚姻 和团聚。中国结常常作为礼物交换或用作饰 品祈求好运和辟邪。这种形式的手工艺 （handicraft）代代相传，现在已经在中国和 世界各地越来越受欢迎。
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The Chinese knot was originally invented by the craftsmen. After hundreds of years’ continuous improvement, it has become a kind of elegant and colourful art and craft. In ancient times, it was used to record events, but now it is used mainly for decorative purposes. Knot, pronounced “jie” in Chinese, means love, marriage and reunion. The Chinese knot is often used as gifts to exchange or as decorations to pray for good luck and ward off evil spirits. This form of handicraft has been passed down from generation to generation, and has become increasingly popular in China and around the world.
2013年12月四级真题
翻译题
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许多人喜欢中餐。 在中国，烹饪不仅被 视为一种技能，而且也被视为一种艺术。精 心准备的中餐既可口又好看。烹饪技艺和配 料在中国各地差别很大。但好的烹饪都有一 个共同点，总是要考虑到颜色、味道、口感 和营养（nutrition）。由于食物对健康至关 重要，好的所以中餐既味美又健康。
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“你要茶还是要咖啡？”是用餐人常被问 到的问题。许多西方人会选咖啡，而中国人 则会选茶。相传，中国的一位帝王于五千多 年前发现了茶，并用来治病。在明清（the Ming and Qing Dynasties）期间，茶馆遍布 全国。饮茶在6世纪传到日本，但直到17、 18世纪才传到欧美。如今，茶是世界上最流 行的饮料（beverage）之一。茶是中国的民 族饮品，也是中国传统和文化的重要组成部 分。
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This is what diners often have been asked, “Would you like tea or coffee?” Many westerners favour coffee while the Chinese tend to choose tea. Tradition has it that an ancient Chinese emperor discovered the tea five thousand years ago and used it to treat illness. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, teahouses spread all over China. Tea drinking was introduced to Japan in 6th century while it had not been introduced into Europe or America until the 17th and 18th centuries. Nowadays, tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It is not only a kind of Chinese national drink, but also an important part of Chinese tradition and culture.
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Many people are fond of Chinese cuisine. In China, cooking is regarded not only as a craftsmanship, but also as an art. A wellprepared Chinese cuisine is both tasty and good-looking. Cooking skills and dish ingredients vary a lot in different regions of China. However, good Chinese cuisines always share something in common, that is, the color, aroma, taste and nutrition. As food is vital for one’s health, a good chef is always trying to strike a balance among grains, meat and vegetables. That’s why Chinese cuisine is both tasty and healthy.