Understanding ideas 课文精读 · 欢迎来到敦煌
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Welcome to Dunhuang! On the old Silk Road, this city was the gateway to and from Ancient China, a place where East met West, and a green island in the middle of the desert. You can only imagine how travellers felt when they saw the oasis of Dunhuang ahead of them.
欢迎来到敦煌！这座城市坐落在古丝绸之路上，曾经是古代中国的门户、东西方交汇的地方，也是沙海中的绿岛。你可以想象，当旅行者们看到敦煌绿洲就在眼前时，他们的感受将会是怎样的。
第2段
Dunhuang's long and glorious history represents its significance as a centre of cultural and commercial exchange. Today, Dunhuang is a world-class tourist destination boasting sites with UNESCO-protected heritage status. Now, we are going to enter some of the city's famous caves, of which there are more than 700. Known as the Mogao Grottoes these ancient caves were carved out of the rock over a period of 1,000 years. If you look up, you can see the paintings and other artworks that are testimony to how the Silk Road brought East and West together. Look at these statues! You can see elements from Ancient Greece, India and Iran. Now look around the walls of the cave. Come little bit closer so that you can get a better view. Look at them! The murals cover an astonishing area of 45,000 square metres.
敦煌悠久而辉煌的历史展现了它作为文化和商业往来中心的重要性。敦煌现在是世界级旅游胜地，拥有受联合国教科文组织保护的文化遗产。敦煌有七百多个洞窟，现在我们将要参观其中几个著名的洞窟。这些古老的洞窟被称为莫高窟，是一千多年前在岩石上雕刻而成的。你抬起头就可以看见壁画和其他艺术品，它们见证了丝绸之路是如何将东西方连接在一起的。看看这些塑像！你可以从中发现古希腊、古印度和古伊朗的元素。现在我们来看看洞窟四周的墙壁，请靠近一点，这样你就可以看得更清楚。看看这些壁画！它们的面积有45,000平方米，非常惊人。
第3段
The subjects of the Dunhuang murals vary from religious stories to scenes of everyday life. But one type of mural that is unique to Dunhuang shows the Apsaras, or "Flying Immortals". Representations of these heavenly musicians, singers and dancers decorate the walls of many caves. Take a look at this mural. The Apsaras are depicted sailing in the bright blue sky, with their scarves flying, as if they are about to fly down to meet us. And here is another one. Move over here where you can see it in more detail. The Apsaras are holding lotuses, playing musical instruments, dancing and throwing flowers. The painting of Apsaras reached a peak during the Tang Dynasty; these images are full of life, reflecting the confidence and optimism of people from that time.
敦煌壁画的主题多样，从宗教故事到日常生活，场景各不相同。但是，有一种壁画是敦煌独有的，画的是飞天，也就是"飞仙"。很多洞窟的墙壁上都画着天上的乐师、歌者和舞者。我们看这幅壁画，上面画的是飞天在蔚蓝的天空中飞行，他们帔巾飘飘，好像要飞下来迎接我们。再看这幅，请走到这里，你可以看到更多细节。你可以看到飞天手捧莲花、演奏乐器、跳舞、抛花。飞天壁画在唐朝达到了顶峰；这些图案栩栩如生，反映了当时人们的自信、乐观。
第4段
Now, something really extraordinary happened in 1900, when a Taoist priest made one of the most important finds of the 20th century. In a sealed cave, now known as the famous Library Cave, were hidden thousands of manuscripts, paintings and scrolls, as well as silk embroideries. We'll have a chance to see some of them shortly—the Library Cave is only a stone's throw from here. Dating from 405 AD to 1002 AD, these hidden treasures give us a picture of Dunhuang when it was at the very centre of the Silk Road trade. Thanks to this ancient library, we now know that goods arrived in Dunhuang from as far away as North-east Europe, and that goods were also exported from Dunhuang across Asia and Europe. The scrolls are so detailed that they describe the vast range of goods that were imported and exported from Dunhuang, such as ceramics, medicine, perfumes and fruit, to name just a few. The scrolls also reveal how many different communities lived side-by-side within this great city. However, the reason why the Library Cave was sealed up all those years ago remains a mystery.
1900年发生了件非同寻常的事，一位道士的发现，成了二十世纪最重大的发现之一。在一个封闭的洞窟，也就是现在著名的藏经洞中，藏了成千上万的手稿、绘画、卷轴以及丝绸刺绣。藏经洞离这里很近，我们很快将有机会观看其中的一些展品。这些隐藏的宝藏可追溯到公元405年至公元1002年间，为我们展现了敦煌作为丝绸之路贸易中心时的画面。多亏这个古老的图书馆，我们才得以了解当时的情况：货物从遥远的欧洲东北部抵达敦煌，也从敦煌出口到亚洲和欧洲各地。这些卷轴内容非常详细，描述了敦煌进出口的各种商品，例如陶瓷、药品、香料和水果。这些卷轴还展示了许多不同的群体是如何共同生活在这座名城中的。然而，藏经洞为什么在多年以前被密封起来？这至今仍是个谜。
第5段
In the Ming Dynasty, trade routes changed and Dunhuang was not as prosperous as it used to be. Gradually, it faded from memory, even though it was once such a great city.
明代，贸易路线发生了变化，敦煌也不像以前那样繁华。尽管敦煌曾经是一个如此繁华的大城市，但它还是渐渐淡出了人们的记忆。
第6段
This century is bringing the Silk Road to life once more through the Belt and Road Initiative. Dunhuang has once again become a global crossroads since it hosted hundreds of representatives from over 51 countries for the Silk Road International Cultural Expo in 2017. Given that the theme of the Expo was to promote cultural exchange and strengthen mutual cooperation between the countries along the Silk Road, Dunhuang was the ideal place.
21世纪，"一带一路"倡议为丝绸之路带来新生。2017年，51个国家的数百名代表齐聚此地，参加丝绸之路国际文化博览会，敦煌再次成为世界的活动中心。博览会的主题是促进文化交流，加强丝绸之路沿线国家的相互合作。因此敦煌正是理想的会址。
第7段
Now let's move on to the next cave...
现在让我们去参观下一个洞窟……
二、重点单词
gateway n.：门户；关口。the gateway to and from Ancient China（古代中国的门户）
oasis n.：绿洲。the oasis of Dunhuang ahead of them（眼前的敦煌绿洲）
glorious adj.：辉煌的；光荣的。Dunhuang's long and glorious history（敦煌悠久而辉煌的历史）
significance n.：重要性；意义。represents its significance as a centre（体现了它作为中心的重要性）
boast v.：拥有（值得自豪的事物）。boasting sites with UNESCO-protected status（拥有受联合国保护的文化遗址）
carve v.：雕刻。were carved out of the rock（在岩石上被雕刻而成）
testimony n.：见证；证明。are testimony to how the Silk Road brought East and West together（见证了丝路如何连接东西方）
unique adj.：独特的；独有的。one type of mural that is unique to Dunhuang（敦煌独有的一种壁画）
depict v.：描绘；刻画。The Apsaras are depicted sailing in the sky（飞天被描绘成在天空飞翔）
embroidery n.：刺绣；绣品。silk embroideries（丝绸刺绣）
prosperous adj.：繁荣的；兴旺的。was not as prosperous as it used to be（不如从前繁华）
initiative n.：倡议；主动精神。the Belt and Road Initiative（"一带一路"倡议）
crossroads n.：十字路口；交汇处。become a global crossroads（成为世界活动中心）
strengthen v.：加强；巩固。strengthen mutual cooperation（加强相互合作）
mystery n.：谜；神秘之事。remains a mystery（至今仍是个谜）
三、一词多义与熟词生义
gateway 本义"大门口、门道"，课文 the gateway to and from Ancient China 引申为"门户、枢纽"，强调敦煌在丝路中的通道地位。
boast 常见义含贬义"自夸、吹嘘"，课文中 boasting sites ... 为褒义/中性用法，意为"拥有（引以为豪的事物）"，常用于旅游介绍。
testimony 法律义为"证词、证言"，课文 the paintings ... are testimony to ... 引申为"（实物）见证、证明"，指艺术品印证历史。
peak 名词常指"山峰"，课文 reached a peak during the Tang Dynasty 中 peak 意为"顶峰、鼎盛时期"，作名词，表发展最高点。
crossroads 本义"十字路口"，课文 a global crossroads 比喻"交汇中心、枢纽"，呼应敦煌"东西方交汇"的定位。
stone 常见义"石头"，a stone's throw 为固定搭配，意为"一步之遥、很近的距离"，课文形容藏经洞离此处很近。
四、重点词块
on the old Silk Road 在古丝绸之路上
the gateway to and from 进出……的门户
a green island in the desert 沙漠中的绿岛
UNESCO-protected heritage status 受联合国教科文组织保护的文化遗产地位
be carved out of the rock 在岩石上雕刻而成
be testimony to 是……的见证
unique to Dunhuang 敦煌独有的
be depicted sailing 被描绘成在飞翔
as if they are about to 仿佛即将……
a stone's throw from 离……一步之遥
date from 追溯到（某时期）
as far away as 远至；远达
to name just a few 仅举几例
side-by-side 并肩；共存
fade from memory 淡出记忆；被遗忘
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】On the old Silk Road, this city was the gateway to and from Ancient China, a place where East met West, and a green island in the middle of the desert.
【主干】this city was the gateway, a place, and a green island.
【分层】On the old Silk Road 为地点状语；to and from Ancient China 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 gateway；a place ... 与 a green island ... 为并列同位语解释 gateway；where East met West 为定语从句修饰 a place。
【译文】这座城市坐落在古丝绸之路上，曾经是古代中国的门户、东西方交汇的地方，也是沙海中的绿岛。
【考点】并列同位语；where 定语从句；介词短语作后置定语。
【原句 2】Known as the Mogao Grottoes these ancient caves were carved out of the rock over a period of 1,000 years.
【主干】these ancient caves were carved out of the rock.
【分层】Known as the Mogao Grottoes 为过去分词作状语（相当于 As they are known as ...）；over a period of 1,000 years 为时间状语；谓语 were carved 为一般过去时被动语态。
【译文】这些古老的洞窟被称为莫高窟，是一千多年前在岩石上雕刻而成的。
【考点】过去分词作状语；一般过去时被动语态；时间状语。
【原句 3】In a sealed cave, now known as the famous Library Cave, were hidden thousands of manuscripts, paintings and scrolls, as well as silk embroideries.
【主干】were hidden thousands of manuscripts, paintings and scrolls, as well as silk embroideries.
【分层】In a sealed cave 为地点状语前置引起完全倒装（正常语序：thousands of ... were hidden in a cave）；now known as ... 为过去分词作插入定语修饰 cave；as well as 连接并列宾语。
【译文】在一个封闭的洞窟，也就是现在著名的藏经洞中，藏了成千上万的手稿、绘画、卷轴以及丝绸刺绣。
【考点】地点状语前置的倒装；过去分词作定语；as well as 并列。
【原句 4】Dating from 405 AD to 1002 AD, these hidden treasures give us a picture of Dunhuang when it was at the very centre of the Silk Road trade.
【主干】these hidden treasures give us a picture of Dunhuang.
【分层】Dating from ... 为现在分词作状语，说明时间跨度；when it was ... 为定语从句修饰 Dunhuang（或理解为时间状语从句修饰 picture）；at the very centre 为介词短语作表语。
【译文】这些隐藏的宝藏可追溯到公元405年至1002年间，为我们展现了敦煌作为丝绸之路贸易中心时的画面。
【考点】现在分词作状语；when 定语从句；very 表强调。
【原句 5】The scrolls are so detailed that they describe the vast range of goods that were imported and exported from Dunhuang, such as ceramics, medicine, perfumes and fruit, to name just a few.
【主干】The scrolls are so detailed that they describe the vast range of goods.
【分层】so ... that 引导结果状语从句；that were imported and exported 为定语从句修饰 goods；such as ... 为举例插入语；to name just a few 为不定式作补充说明。
【译文】这些卷轴内容非常详细，描述了敦煌进出口的各种商品，例如陶瓷、药品、香料和水果，仅举几例。
【考点】so ... that 结果状语从句；that 定语从句（被动）；such as 举例。
六、语法点清单
1. 导游词的第二人称祈使与现在时
Look at these statues! Come a little bit closer so that you can ... 全文用祈使句与一般现在时营造"现场导游"语域，亲切而有现场感。
2. 过去分词作定语 / 状语
Known as the Mogao Grottoes；now known as the famous Library Cave；Dating from ...（现在分词）。注意区分 done（表被动/完成）与 doing（表主动/进行）。
3. 定语从句（where / that / when）
a place where East met West；the goods that were imported；Dunhuang when it was ...。关系词依据在从句中作状语（where/when）或主语（that）选择。
4. 倒装句（地点状语前置）
In a sealed cave ... were hidden thousands of ...。地点状语置于句首且主语较长时，系动词 were 提前构成完全倒装。
5. so ... that 结果状语从句
The scrolls are so detailed that they describe ...。so 修饰形容词 detailed，that 引出结果，常与 such ... that 对照。
6. 比较结构（as ... as / 比较级）
not as prosperous as it used to be（as ... as 否定式）；a better view（比较级）。用于今昔对比与指引。
七、逻辑链
开场（第1段）：Welcome to Dunhuang! → 定位：丝路门户、东西交汇、沙漠绿岛
↓
总览（第2段）：历史辉煌、世界级遗产 → 引入莫高窟与多元文化元素
↓
聚焦·艺术（第3段）：壁画题材广 → 独有"飞天"，盛于唐代，折射自信乐观
↓
聚焦·藏经洞（第4段）：1900年道士发现 → 卷轴见证丝路贸易与多族群共存，封闭之谜未解
↓
兴衰（第5段）：明代贸易改道 → 敦煌渐被遗忘
↓
新生（第6—7段）："一带一路"赋予丝路新生 → 2017文博会再现枢纽地位
这是一篇"导游解说词"：第1—2段总起，定调敦煌的地理与历史地位；第3—4段为核心，分述"飞天艺术"与"藏经洞文物"两大亮点；第5—6段以兴衰对比引出当代复兴，结尾自然过渡到下一处洞窟，结构清晰、移步换景。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：Welcome to ...! On ..., this city was ...
课文：Welcome to Dunhuang! On the old Silk Road, this city was the gateway to and from Ancient China.
仿写：Welcome to Xi'an! On the ancient Chang'an road, this city was the starting point of the Silk Road.（欢迎来到西安！在古长安道上，这座城市是丝绸之路的起点。）——用于景点开篇定位。
模板 2：... boasts ... with ... status.
课文：Dunhuang is a world-class tourist destination boasting sites with UNESCO-protected heritage status.
仿写：The town is a popular resort boasting lakes with national scenic status.（该镇是热门度假地，拥有国家级风景名胜区湖泊。）——用于介绍某地引以为豪的资源。
模板 3：The ... are testimony to how ...
课文：the paintings ... are testimony to how the Silk Road brought East and West together.
仿写：These old letters are testimony to how two nations built lasting friendship.（这些旧信见证了两国如何建立长久友谊。）——用于以实物印证历史。
模板 4：Dating from ..., ... give us a picture of ...
课文：Dating from 405 AD to 1002 AD, these hidden treasures give us a picture of Dunhuang ...
仿写：Dating from the Tang Dynasty, these poems give us a picture of daily life then.（这些诗可追溯至唐代，为我们展现了当时的日常生活。）——用于借文物/文献呈现历史画面。
模板 5：Given that ..., ... was the ideal place.
课文：Given that the theme of the Expo was to promote cultural exchange ..., Dunhuang was the ideal place.
仿写：Given that the conference aims to boost trade, Shanghai was the ideal place.（鉴于大会旨在促进贸易，上海是理想的举办地。）——用于说明某地被选中的理由。
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