國畫(Chinese painting)是世界上最古老的藝術傳統之一。繪畫時用毛筆蘸黑墨或彩墨在紙張或絲綢上作畫。根據表現手法，國畫可分為寫意派(the Xieyi school)和工筆派(the Gongbi school)兩大類。寫意派以自 由表達和形式夸張為特點;工筆派則注重以精細的筆法描繪細節。山水畫被公認為國畫的最高形式。縱觀歷史，不同時期的國畫都相應地反映出人們的社會意識。

　　參考譯文：

　　Chinese painting is one of the oldest artistic traditions in the world. The painting is done on paper or silk with a brush dipped in black or colored ink. According to the means of expression, Chinese paintings can be divided into two categories which are the Xieyi school and the Gongbi school. The Xieyi school is characterized by free expression and exaggerated forms, while the Gongbi school attaches importance to detail with fine brush work. Landscape painting is widely regarded as the highest form of Chinese painting. Throughout history, the Chinese paintings paintings at different times mirror people's social consciousness accordingly.

　　詞句點撥

　　1.第2句為無主語句，翻譯時可補充出主語0ne，譯作When painting, one uses a brush to dip it in black ink...，但這種譯法顯得較為繁冗。此處宜把時間狀語“繪畫時”轉換成主句is done,“用毛筆蘸黑墨......”處理成方式狀語，用介詞短語with a brush dipped in black...來表達，這樣句子更簡潔、邏輯關系更強。

　　2.在第3句中，“可分為幾大類”可譯為短語be divided into...categories;“寫意派和工筆派”則可用定語從 句which are...來表達。

　　3.第4句含有對比的并列結構，可用表對比的連詞while來連接。該句中的“注重……描繪細節”譯成attach importance to detail即可達意，省譯“描繪”;“以精細的筆法”是方式狀語，可用介詞短語with fine brush work來表達，置于句末。

　　4.在最后一句中，定語“不同時期的”較長，可將其處理成后置定語，表達為at different times/periods。