四六級翻譯練習題：指南針

中國是世界上公認發明指南針的。早在2400多年前，中國人就創造出世界上最早的指南針。后來經過不斷改進，到宋朝(the Song Dynasty)人們制造出鐵針指南針并應用于航海。中國是第一個在海船上使用指南針的。指南針為明代(the Ming Dynasty)鄭和下西洋提供了條件。后來指南針傳入歐洲，推動了歐洲航海事業的發展為，哥倫布(Columbus)的航行提供了技術保證。

四六級翻譯參考譯文：

China is universally recognized as the country having invented the compass. As early as 2,400 years ago, Chinese people created the earliest compass in the world. Later it was further improved continuously. During the Song Dynasty, people produced the compass with iron needles and applied it in navigation. China is the first country using the compass on seagoing ships. The compass provided aid for Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean in the Ming Dynasty. Later the compass spread into Europe, promoting the development of the European marine industey and guaranteeing technical support for Columbus' navigation.