Before You Read
1.Do you know how Chinese people in the ancient time do trade with other countries？
2.What occur to you when we mention“the Silk Road”？
3.Where did the Silk Road start and stretch？
4.Who contributed to the development of the Silk Road？
5.Nowadays，why do we emphasize the role of the Silk Road in international affairs again？
Reading 1
The Silk Road of the Past and Today（Ⅰ）
The Silk Road is a historically important international trade route between China and the Mediterranean〔1〕.Because China silk comprised a large proportion of the trade along this ancient road，in 1877，it was named the“Silk Road”by Ferdinand Van Richthofen〔2〕，a great German geographer.
（旁注：comprise［kəm'praɪz］）
（旁注：vt.构成；包含）
（旁注：proportion［prə'pɔ:ʃn］）
（旁注：n.部分；规模）
（旁注：geographer［dʒɪ'ɒgrəfə（r）］）
（旁注：n.地理学者）
（旁注：overland［'əuvəlænd］）
（旁注：adj.陆路的）
（旁注：pioneer［'paɪə'nɪə（r）］）
（旁注：v.开辟；首倡）
（旁注：collapse［kə'læps］）
（旁注：v.（使）崩溃；（使）瓦解）
（旁注：corridor［'kɒrɪdɔ:（r）］）
（旁注：n.走廊）
（旁注：stretch［stretʃ］）
（旁注：v.伸展；延伸）
（旁注：diplomacy［dɪ'pləuməsɪ］）
It is now included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO〔3〕.The term“Silk Road”in a narrow sense refers to an ancient overland trade route formed in the Western Han Dynasty（202 B.C.～9 A.D.）.From the time Zhang Qian pioneered the world-famous Silk Road during the Han Dynasty，until the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty，it enjoyed a history of about 1,600 years.This ancient road begins at Chang'an（now Xi'an），then by way of the Hexi Corridor〔4〕，and it reaches Dunhuang，where it divides into three，the Southern Route，Central Route and Northern Route.The three routes spread all over the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region〔5〕，and then they extend as far as Pakistan，India and even Rome〔6〕.This route stretched 4,350 miles，enabling these regions to have better communications in diplomacy，business and culture.The road is not only an ancient international trade route，but also a splendid cultural bridge linking the cultures of China，Central Asia，India，Persia，Arabia，Turkey，Greece，and Italy〔7〕.Many Chinese advanced technologies were exported to the west，such as the silkworms breeding，silk spinning，paper making，printing with movable type and gunpowder〔8〕，and Buddhism，Nestorianism and Islam〔9〕，cultural treasure of the ancient west，were introduced into China via the world-famous route.
（旁注：n.外交）
（旁注：advanced［əd'vɑ:nst］）
（旁注：adj.先进的；高级的）
（旁注：spinning［'spɪnɪŋ］）
（旁注：n.纺纱）
（旁注：via［'vaɪə］）
（旁注：prep.经由）
In addition to the popularity facts of the silk，brocade，tea，and herbal medicine，chinaware was also shopping-rush goods trading through this road.Originating in the Shang Dynasty（17th century～1046 B.C.），chinaware has been a distinctive handicraft of China.The workmanship peaked in the Tang Dynasty and began to sell to other countries in Asia and Europe，favored by European nobilities.Then，“China”became a term used to name this ancient country.
（旁注：brocade［brə'keɪd］）
（旁注：n.织锦）
（旁注：herbal［'hʒ:bl］）
（旁注：adj.草本植物的）
（旁注：chinaware［'tʃaɪnəweə］）
（旁注：n.陶瓷器）
（旁注：distinctive［dɪ'stɪŋktɪv］）
（旁注：adj.独特的，有特色的）
（旁注：nobility［nəu'bɪlətɪ］）
（旁注：n.贵族；高尚
Language Focus
1.comprise a large proportion of：占有很大的比例
e.g.:Older people comprise a large proportion of those living in poverty.
在那些生活贫困的人中，老年人占有很大的比例。
Mexicans comprise a large proportion of the more than 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
在美国超过1200万的非法移民中，墨西哥人占了很大比例。
2.in a narrow sense：从狭义上讲
e.g.:A heat ex-changer，in a narrow sense，is a vessel.
从狭义来说，换热器是一种容器。
The term inland port is used in a narrow sense in the field of transportation systems to me.
在我看来，内陆港口一词在运输系统领域中的使用是狭义的。
3.The term“Silk Road”in a narrow sense refers to an ancient overland trade route formed in the Western
Han Dynasty.
句中“formed in the Western Han Dynasty...”是过去分词短语作后置定语，对前面的名词短语trade route进行修饰。
4.byway of：路经，途经（某处）
e.g.:They are travelling to France by way of London.
他们经伦敦去法国。
5....enabling these regions to have better communications in diplomacy，business and culture.
此句中的“enabling...”是现在分词短语，在句中作结果状语。
6.Originating in the Shang Dynasty，chinaware has been a distinctive handicraft of China.
此句中“originating in the Shang Dynasty”是现在分词作原因状语，代替原因状语从句“since it is the official philosophy”。
Related Background Information
The Silk Road（丝绸之路）
“丝绸之路”是指起始于古代中国，连接亚洲、非洲和欧洲的古代商业贸易路线。狭义的丝绸之路一般指陆上丝绸之路。广义上又分为陆上丝绸之路和海上丝绸之路。
“陆上丝绸之路”是连接中国腹地与欧洲诸地的陆上商业贸易通道，形成于公元前2世纪与公元1世纪之间，直至16世纪仍保留使用，是一条东方与西方之间经济、政治、文化进行交流的主要道路。汉武帝派张骞出使西域形成其基本干道。它以西汉时期长安为起点（东汉时为洛阳），经河西走廊到达中亚、西亚。
“海上丝绸之路”是古代中国与外国交通贸易和文化交往的海上通道，该路主要以南海为中心，所以又称南海丝绸之路。海上丝绸之路形成于秦汉时期，发展于三国至隋朝时期，繁荣于唐宋时期，转变于明清时期，是已知的最为古老的海上航线。
2014年6月22日，中、哈、吉三国联合申报的陆上丝绸之路的东段“丝绸之路：长安-天山廊道的路网”成功申报为世界文化遗产，成为首例跨国合作而成功申遗的项目。
Zhang QIan（张骞）
张骞（前164年—前114年），字子文，汉中郡城固（今陕西省汉中市城固县）人，中国汉代杰出的外交家、旅行家、探险家，丝绸之路的开拓者，故里在陕西省汉中市城固县城南2000米处汉江之滨的博望村。
张骞富有开拓和冒险精神，建元二年（前139年），奉汉武帝之命，由甘父做向导，率领一百多人出使西域，打通了汉朝通往西域的南北道路，即赫赫有名的丝绸之路，汉武帝以军功封其为博望侯。史学家司马迁称赞张骞出使西域为“凿空”，意思是“开通大道”。
张骞被誉为伟大的外交家、探险家，被称为“丝绸之路的开拓者”“第一个睁开眼睛看世界的中国人”“东方的哥伦布”。他将中原文明传播至西域，又从西域诸国引进了汗血马、葡萄、首蓿、石榴、胡麻等物种到中原，促进了东西方文明的交流。
汉武帝元鼎三年（前114年），张骞病逝于大汉帝都长安，归葬汉中故里。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“T”for true and“F”for False.
1.The Silk Road can trace back to Tang Dynasty and enjoy a history of about 1,600 years.（ ）
2.The Silk Road is a historically important international trade route in China.（ ）
3.It was Zhang Qian who pioneered the world-famous Silk Road during the Han Dynasty.（ ）
4.This ancient road begins at Chang' an，then by way of the Hexi Corridor，and it reaches Dunhuang.（ ）
5.The Silk Road is not only an ancient international trade route，but also a splendid cultural bridge linking the cultures of China，Central Asia，and Europe.（ ）
6.The ancient western cultures were introduced into China by way of this route.（ ）
7.Some technologies such as silkworms breeding，silk spinning，paper making，printing with movable type and gunpowder were imported to China too.（ ）
8.Among so many shopping-rush goods，chinaware was most popular in the west countries.（ ）
9.Chinaware originated in the Shang Dynasty and peaked in the Tang Dynasty.（ ）
10.Maybe the ancient country's name“China”came from its distinctive handicraft—Chinaware.（ ）
Reading 2
The Silk Road of the Past and Today（Ⅱ）
（旁注：era［'ɪərə］n.时代；年代）
（旁注：mutual［'mju:tʃuəl］）
（旁注：adj.共同的；相互的）
（旁注：complex［'kɒmpleks］）
（旁注：adj.复杂的；合成的）
（旁注：initiative［ɪ'nɪʃətɪv］）
（旁注：n.首创精神；倡议）
In the 21st century，a new era marked by the theme of peace，development，cooperation and mutual benefit，it is all the more important for us to carry on the Silk Road Spirit in face of the weak recovery of the global economy，and complex international and regional situations.When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013，he raised the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road（as the Belt and Road），〔10〕which have attracted close attention from all over the world.
（旁注：maritime［'mærɪtaɪm］）
（旁注：adj.海上的；海事的）
On land，the initiative will focus on jointly building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and developing China-Mongolia-Russia，China-Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridors by taking advantage of international transport routes，relying on core cities along the Belt and Road and using key economic industrial parks as cooperation platforms.〔11〕At sea，the initiative will focus on jointly building smooth，secure and efficient transport routes connecting major sea ports along the Belt and Road.The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor are closely related to the Belt and Road initiative，and therefore require closer cooperation and greater progress.〔12〕
（旁注：core［kɔ:（r）］）
（旁注：n.核心）
（旁注：platform［'plætfɔ:m］）
（旁注：n.月台；讲台；平台）
The Belt and Road cooperation features mutual respect and trust，mutual benefit and win-win cooperation，and mutual learning between civilizations.The building of the Belt and Road can help promote the economic prosperity of the countries along the Belt and Road and regional economic cooperation，strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations，and promote world peace and development.It is a great undertaking that will benefit people around the world.As long as all countries along the Belt and Road make mutual efforts to pursue our common goal，there will be bright prospects for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road，and the people of countries along the Belt and Road can all benefit from this initiative.
（旁注：prosperity［prɒ'sperətɪ］）
（旁注：n.繁荣；兴旺）
（旁注：undertaking［'ʌndə'teɪkɪŋ］）
（旁注：n.企业；事业）
（旁注：pursue［pə'sju:］）
（旁注：v.追求）
（旁注：prospect［'prɒspekt］）
（旁注：n.希望；前景）
Language Focus
1.all the more：史；格外
e.g.:He loved his wife and children，but he loved his country all the more.
他爱妻子儿女，但是他更爱祖国。
Your gift would be appreciated all the more if you make it yourself instead of buying it.
要是这件礼物是你自己动手制作的而不是买的，会更加受到欢迎的。
2.carry on：继续进行；从事
e.g.:We'll carry on our conversation tomorrow.
明天我们将继续进行会谈。
Who can be depended upon to carry on the work？
可以依靠什么人来开展这个工作？
3.focus on：致力于；对……予以注意
e.g.:Students should resist the temptation to focus on exams alone.
学生应该杜绝一门心思应付考试的想法。
Take a few seconds to clear your head and focus on the act of driving.
用几秒钟理清思路，专注于开车的动作。
4.take advantage of：好好利用
e.g.:He took advantage of the good weather to go for a walk.
他趁着天气好，出去散散步。
You need to take advantage of this opportunity and do something good！
你得好好利用这次机会来做点好事！
5.rely on：依靠，依赖
e.g.:We had to rely on a compass and a lot of luck to get here.
我们不得不靠指南针和不错的运气才来到这里。
Captive birds rely on their owners for food.
笼中之鸟依靠其主人提供食物。
6.be related to：与……有关
e.g.:All things were related to all other things.
所有事物都是相联系的。
It follows that incidence of food allergies will be related to patterns of food consumption.
由此得出的结论是食物过敏影响的范围将和食物消费方式有关。
7.as long as：只要，如果，引导条件状语从句，与on condition that，provided that或if用法一样。
e.g.:You can go out，as/so long as you promise to be back before 11 o'clock.
你可以出去，只要你答应在11点之前回来。
I'll accept any job as/so long as I don't have to get up early.
只要不必早起，任何工作我都可以接受。
8.make mutual efforts：做出共同努力
e.g.:We will make our efforts to gain mutual success of“company，suppliers，brands，agents and consumers”.
为实现“公司、供方、品牌、代理、消费者”五方共赢的目标而努力。
I hope you will continue to make efforts and contributions to deepening the mutual understanding between China and the countries of the world.
希望你们今后继续为增进中国与世界各国的相互了解做出努力和贡献。
9.benefit from：有益于；得益于……
e.g.:It is cheering to see that customers are to benefit from a rebate on their electricity bills.
看到顾客们因为电费退款而受益，真是令人欣慰。
We can benefit a lot from good habits in life.
我们会从良好的生活习惯中获益良多。
Related Background Information
The Belt and Road（一带一路）
“一带一路”（英文：The Belt and Road，缩写B&R）是“丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的简称。它将充分依靠中国与有关国家既有的双多边机制，借助既有的、行之有效的区域合作平台，一带一路旨在借用古代丝绸之路的历史符号，高举和平发展的旗帜，积极发展与沿线国家的经济合作伙伴关系，共同打造政治互信、经济融合、文化包容的利益共同体、命运共同体和责任共同体。
The Maritime Silk Road（海上丝绸之路）
海上丝绸之路，是古代中国与外国交通贸易和文化交往的海上通道，也称“海上陶瓷之路”和“海上香料之路”。1913年，由法国的东方学家沙畹首次提及。海上丝绸之路萌芽于商周，发展于春秋战国，形成于秦汉，兴于唐宋，转变于明清，是已知最为古老的海上航线。中国海上丝路分为东海航线和南海航线两条线路，其中主要以南海为中心。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.What are the main characters of the world in the 21th century？
A.Peace and development.B.Cooperation and mutual benefit.
C.Sustainable development.D.A and B.
2.We need to carry on the Silk Road Spirit today in face of the weak recovery of the following except______.
A.the global economy B.complex international situations
C.regional situations D.domestic situation
3.Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road when he________.
A.visited Central Asia in 2015 B.visited the USA and South America in 2015
C.visited Europe in 2013 D.visited Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013
4.Today，the Silk Road includes two routes，one is on land，the other is________.
A.at sea B.in mountains
C.in air D.in desert
5.At sea，the initiative will build smooth，secure and efficient transport routes to connect________.
A.China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridors
B.major sea ports along Pacific Ocean
C.major sea ports along the Belt and Road
D.core cities along the Belt and Road
6.According to the passage，the Belt and Road refers to________.
A.the Silk Road Economic Belt
B.China-Mongolia-Russia，China-Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridors
C.The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor
D.the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road
7.The following countries are connected with the Belt and Road except________.
A.Mongolia B.Russia C.India D.Argentina
8.The Belt and Road cooperation features________.
A.mutual respect and trust
B.mutual benefit and win-win cooperation
C.mutual learning between civilizations
D.all of the above
9.Building the Belt and Road is a great undertaking that will benefit________.
A.China B.countries in Asia
C.countries in Europe D.countries in the world
10.The building of the Belt and Road can help______.
A.promote the economic prosperity of the countries along the Belt and Road and regional economic cooperation
B.strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations
C.promote world peace and development
D.all of the above
