Passage 1北京大学
北京大学于1898年成立，原名为京师大学堂(the Imperial University of Peking)。该大学的成立标志着中国近代史上高等教育的开始。在中国近代史上，它是进步思想的中心，对中国新文化运动、五四运动及其他重要事件的发生颇有影响。今天，国内不少高校排行榜将北京大学放入国内顶尖大学之列。该校重视教学和科学研究。为提高本科生教育和研究生教育质量、保持其领先研究机构的地位，学校已做出很大努力。此外，学校尤以其校园环境及优美的中国传统建筑而闻名。
Originally known as the Imperial University of Peking, Peking University was established in 1898. The establishment of the University marked the beginning of higher education in China's modem history. In modem history of China it was a center for progressive thought and was influential in the birth of China's New Culture Movement May Fourth Movement and many other significant events. Today, Peking University was placed by marry domestic university rankings amongst the top universities in China The university lays emphasis on both teaching, and scientific research. It has made great efforts to improve the undergraduate and graduate education, and maintain its role as a leading research institution In addition, the University is especially renowned for its campus environment and the beauty of its traditional Chinese architecture.
Passage 2 中国的民族
中国以其人口密集、疆域辽阔而著称。作为一个多民族国家，中国共有56个民族，总人口约14亿人。汉族是中华民族的主体民族，约占全国人口的92%．主要分布在东部和中部。而其他少数民族居住相对分散，主要分布在中国的西南、西北和东北部地区。每个少数民族都有与众不同的特点、悠久的传统文化和独特的风俗习惯。中国政府长久以来一直提倡和发展平等、团结的民族关系，强调各民族共同发展、共同繁荣。
以……而著称be noted /famous for 少数民族ethnic minority; minority ethnic group
人口密集dense population 与众不同的特点distinctive character
疆域辽阔vast territory 独特的风俗习惯unique convention
多民族的国家a multinational country 提倡advocate; propose
汉族the Han Nationality 强调highlight; emphasize
分布distribute
China is noted for its dense population and vast territory. As a multinational country, China is home to 56 ethnic groups with a total population of about l.4 billion The Han Nationality is the majority, accounting for 92% 0f the total population which distributes mainly in the east and middle of China; while the ethnic minorities dwell extensively all over China distributing mainly in the southwest, the northwest and the northeast. Each of the minority ethnic groups has a distinctive character, long traditional culture and unique conventions. Chinese government has long been advocating and developing an equal and united ethnic relationship, highlighting the common development and prosperity of all ethnic groups.
Passage 3 中国桥梁
中国的桥梁建设有着悠久的历史中国古代桥梁以木材和石头为主要建筑材料，形式多样，极富特色。中国现存最古老的桥梁为隋代建造的安济桥，位于河北省赵县安济桥又名赵州桥，桥长50.82关，桥宽9米，为国家重点保护的文物(cultural relic). 清朝末年，兰州黄河铁桥建成，标志着中国桥梁建设进入了以钢铁和混凝土( concrete)为主要材料的时期：如今，中国的桥梁建设保持着多项世界记录，中国跻身于世界桥梁建设强国行列.
桥梁建设bridge construction/building 末年late years; last years: final years
有着悠久的历史boast/have a long history 进入了……的时期step into an era of___
形式多样vary in forms 世界记录world record
极富特色be highly distinct 跻身……行列stand among．.
