Part IV Translation (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.
荷花(lotus flower)是中国的名花之一，深受人们喜爱。中国许多地方的湖泊和池塘都适宜荷花生长。荷花色彩鲜艳，夏日清晨绽放，夜晚闭合。花期长达两三个月，吸引来自各地的游客前往观赏。荷花具有多种功能，既能绿化水面，又能美化庭园，还可净化水质、减少污染、改善环境。荷花迎骄阳而不惧，出污泥而不染，象征纯洁、高雅，常常用来比喻人的高尚品德，历来是诗人画家创作的重要题材。荷花盛开的地方也是许多摄影爱好者经常光顾之地。
参考译文：
The lotus flower is one of China's renowned flowers and is deeply loved by people. Lakes and ponds in many parts of China are suitable for the growth of lotus flowers. With vibrant colors, lotus flowers bloom in the early morning of summer and close at night. Their flowering period lasts for two to three months, attracting tourists from all over to come and admire them. Lotus flowers serve multiple purposes; they can not only green water surfaces and beautify gardens but also purify water quality, reduce pollution, and improve the environment. Lotus flowers face the blazing sun without fear and emerge unstained from the mud, symbolizing purity and elegance. They are often used as a metaphor for people's noble character and have always been an important theme in the creations of poets and painters. The places where lotus flowers bloom are also frequently visited by many photography enthusiasts.
