本期主题【四大发明】

　　Four great inventions of China include thecompass,gun powder,the paper-making techniqueand the printing technique.They are one of themarks that China occupies an important position inthe history of human civilization.The first compasswas invented during the Warring States Period.It was a simple device employing naturalmagnets to identify directions.Gunpowder was invented in Sui and Tang Dynasties and wasmainly used in military areas.The paper-making technique was developed by Cai Lun in theEastern Han Dynasty,making paper a commonly used writing material.The Printingtechnique,also called movable type printing,promoted the spread of culture significantly.Thefour great inventions of China made tremendous contribution to the development of theworld's economy and the progress of the culture of mankind.

　　参考翻译:

　　中国的四大发明包括指南针、火药、造纸术和印刷术，它们是中国在人类文明史上占有重要地位的标志之一。第一个指南针产生于战国时期(the Warring States Period)，是利用天然磁石(natural magnet)来辨别方向的一种简单仪器。火药发明于隋唐时期，主要应用于军事领域，造纸术于东汉年间由蔡伦改进，使纸成为人们普遍使用的书写材料。印刷术，又称活字印刷术，大大促进了文化的传播。四大发明对世界经济的发展和人类文化的进步做出了巨大的贡献。