第一单元

孔子是中国历史上著名的思想家、教育家，是儒家学派（Confucianism）的创始人，被尊称为古代的\圣人\（sage）。他的言论和生平活动记录在《论语》（The Analects）一书中。《论语》是中国古代文化的经典著作，对后来历代的思想家、文学家、政治家产生了很大影响。不研究《论语》，就不能真正把握中国几千年的传统文化。孔子的很多思想，尤其是其教育思想，对中国社会产生了深远的影响。在21世纪的今天，孔子的学说不仅受到中国人的重视，而且也越来越受到整个国际社会的重视。

Confucius was a great thinker and educator in Chinese history. He was the founder of Confucianism and was respectfully referred to as an ancient \His words and life story were recorded in The Analects. An enduring classic of ancient Chinese culture, The Analects has had a great influence on the thinkers, writers, and statesmen that came after Confucius. Without studying this book, one could hardly truly understand the thousands-of-years' traditional Chinese culture. Much of Confucius' thought, especially his thought on education, has had a profound influence on Chinese society. In the 21st century, Confucian thought not only retains the attention of the Chinese, but it also wins an increasing attention from the international community.

第二单元

每 年 农 历（Chinese lunar calendar）八 月 十 五 是我 国 的 传 统 节 日 —— 中 秋 节（the Mid-Autumn Festival）。这时是一年秋季的中期，所以被称为中秋。中秋节的一项重要活动是赏月。夜晚，人们赏明月、吃月饼，共庆中秋佳节。中秋节也是家庭团圆的时刻，远在他乡的游子，会借此寄托自己对故乡和亲人的思念之情。中秋节的习俗很多，都寄托着人们对美好生活的热爱和向往。自2008年起，中秋节成为中国的法定节假日。

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, August 15 of every year is a traditional Chinese festival — the Mid-Autumn Festival. This day is the middle of autumn, so it is called Mid-Autumn. One of the important Mid-Autumn Festival activities is to enjoy the moon. On that night, people gather together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, looking up at the bright moon and eating

moon cakes. The festival is also a time for family reunion. People living far away from home will express their feelings of missing their hometowns and families at this festival. There are many customs to celebrate the festival, all expressing people's love and hope for a happy life. Since 2008, the Mid-Autumn Festival has become an official national holiday in China.

第四单元

郑和是中国历史上最著名的航海家（maritime explorer）。公元1405 年，明朝的统治者为了稳固边防（border defense）和开展海上贸易，派郑和下西洋（the Western Seas）。在此后的28 年里，郑和带领船队七下西洋，前后出海的人员有10 多万人，访问了30 多个国家和地区。船队纵横南亚、西亚，一直到非洲大陆。郑和下西洋是世界航海（navigation）史上的壮举，它展现了郑和卓越的航海和组织才能，同时展现了明朝的国力和国威（national strength and prestige），加强了明朝和海外各国之间的关系。

Zheng He was the most famous maritime explorer in Chinese history. In 1405 AD, the ruler of the Ming Dynasty sent Zheng He on a voyage to the Western Seas in order to strengthen border defense and develop trade by sea. In the following 28 years, Zheng He led his fleet, made seven voyages to the Western Seas with over 100,000 crew members in total, and visited more than 30 countries and regions. The fleet traveled far into South Asia and West Asia, and made all the way to the continent of Africa. Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas were a great feat in the world's navigation history. It showed Zheng He's outstanding navigation and organization talents; meanwhile, it exhibited the national strength and prestige of the Ming Dynasty, and strengthened the relationships between the Ming Dynasty and the overseas countries.

第六单元

改革开放以来，中国的教育事业得到了快速发展，取得了引人瞩目的成就。中国政府把教育摆在优先发展的地位，坚持科教兴国（revitalize the country），全面提倡素质教育 (quality-oriented education)。同时，积极推进教育公平，保障人人有受教育的机会。中国的教育成就反映在两个不同的层面：一个是全面普及

了九年义务教育（nine-year compulsory education），另一个是实现了高等教育大众化（mass higher education）。教育的发展为中国的经济发展和社会进步作出了重大贡献。近年来，为适应社会、经济发展的需要，中国政府不断加快培养各领域的急需人才。

Since its economic reform and opening-up to the world, China's education has gone through rapid development and made remarkable achievements. The Chinese government gives top priority to the development of education, persists in revitalizing the country by science and education, and fully advocates quality-oriented education. Meanwhile, it actively promotes equality in education to guarantee everyone access to education. China's

achievements in education can be reflected in two different layers: One is the popularization of the nine-year compulsory education; the other is the realization of mass higher education. The development of education has made significant contributions to China's economic development and social progress. In recent years, to satisfy the needs of social and economic development, the Chinese government has sped up the training of qualified personnel urgently needed in various fields.

第七单元

为人诚信，以和为贵是中华民族的传统美德。\和\的思想体现在很多方面。在处理人与人的关系上，中国传统思想主张\和为贵\以及\家和万事兴\，从而创造一个和谐的社会环境。在人与自然的关系上，人类应当学会认识自然，尊重自然，保护自然。人与人、人与社会、人与自然都需要\和谐\。如今，和谐发展依然是我们的治国之本和管理人才之道。随着我国社会经济和文化的发展，\和\的思想更加深入人心。中国正在向构建社会主义和谐社会的目标迈进。

Integrity and harmony are traditional Chinese virtues. \demonstrated in various aspects. In regard to interpersonal relations, traditional Chinese thoughts hold that \family that lives in harmony will prosper\can be created based on these principles. As for relations between human beings and nature, people should learn to understand, respect and protect

nature. Harmony is essential to interpersonal relations, relations between human beings and society, as well as between human beings and nature. Nowadays, harmonious development is still the way of running the country and managing talented personnel. With the development of China's society, economy and culture, the idea of \hearts. China is on its way toward the goal of building a harmonious socialist society.

第一单元

奔向更加光明的未来

1 下午好！ 作为校长，我非常自豪地欢迎你们来到这所大学。 你们所取得的成就是你们自己多年努力的结果，也是你们的父母和老师们多年努力的结果。 在这所大学里，我们承诺将使你们学有所成。 2 在欢迎你们到来的这一刻，我想起自己高中毕业时的情景，还有妈妈为我和爸爸拍的合影。 妈妈吩咐我们：“姿势自然点。” “等一等,”爸爸说，“把我递给他闹钟的情景拍下来。” 在大学期间，那个闹钟每天早晨叫醒我。 至今它还放在我办公室的桌子上。

3 让我来告诉你们一些你们未必预料得到的事情。 你们将会怀念以前的生活习惯，怀念父母曾经提醒你们要刻苦学习、取得佳绩。 你们可能因为高中生活终于结束而喜极而泣，你们的父母也可能因为终于不用再给你们洗衣服而喜极而泣！ 但是要记住：未来是建立在过去扎实的基础上的。

4 对你们而言，接下来的四年将会是无与伦比的一段时光。 在这里，你们拥有丰富的资源：有来自全国各地的有趣的学生，有学识渊博又充满爱心的老师，有综合性图书馆，有完备的运动设施，还有针对不同兴趣的学生社团——从文科社团到理科社团、到社区服务等等。 你们将自由地探索、学习新科目。 你们要学着习惯点灯熬油，学着结交充满魅力的人，学着去追求新的爱好。 我想鼓励你们充分利用这一特殊的经历，并用你们的干劲和热情去收获这一机会所带来的丰硕成果。

5 有这么多课程可供选择，你可能会不知所措。 你不可能选修所有的课程，但是要尽可能体验更多的课程！ 大学里有很多事情可做可学，每件事情都会为你提供不同视角来审视世界。 如果我只能给你们一条选课建议的话，那就是：挑战自己！ 不要认为你早就了解自己对什么样的领域最感兴趣。 选择一些你从未接触过的领域的课程。 这样，你不仅会变得更加博学，而且更有可能发现一个你未曾想到的、能成就你未来的爱好。 一个绝佳的例子就是时装设计师王薇薇，她最初学的是艺术史。 随着时间的推移，王薇薇把艺术史研究和对时装的热爱结合起来，并将其转化为对设计的热情，从而使她成为全球闻名的设计师。