1. Not only a city and republic, but it was also to become the capital of one of the largest empires in history.
此時的羅馬不僅是一個城市和一個共和國，它也將成為歷史上最大帝國之一的都城。
這是一個倒裝句。當not only放于句首時，句子要倒裝。如：
Not only did he speak more correctly but he also spoke more fluently.
他不僅講的更準確，而且更流利了。
Not only has he bought a big house, but also he has saved a large sum of money.
他不僅買了一棟大房子，而且還有了一大筆錢。
以 never, little, seldom, not until, hardly 等詞引起的句子也常用倒裝語序。
如：Never before has our country been as united as it is today.
今天我們的國家空前團結。
Little did we think that he was such a clever boy.
Hardly had he finished when someone rose to refuse his views.
他還沒有完全說完， 就有人起來駁斥他的觀點。
2．What is interesting is that the other largest city is Rome.
有趣的是，當時另外一座最大的城市就是羅馬。
這是一個主從復合句，其中包括兩個名詞性從句。What is interesting 是主語從句，that…Rome 是表語從句。如：
What he said was what I wanted to say.
3． both China and Rome at this time, poetry, literature and philosophy were being developed.
此時無論在中國還是在羅馬，詩歌，文學和哲學都開始興起了。
Were being developed 是過去進行時的被動語態，由was/were +being+過去分詞構成：
如：The case was been investigated.
這案件那時正在調查之中。
The road were being widened.
路那時正在加寬。
The article was been written at that time.
那時這篇文章正在寫作之中。
4． As early as 200 BC, the Silk Road, which was the route for trade between the East and West, was in use.公元前200 年，作為東西方貿易通道的絲綢之路就開始使用了。
1）As early as …表示“早在…”
As early as 1850, the national unions of Great Britain were competing for control of the new labour movement.
早在1850年，英國全國工會就在競爭控制新的勞動運動。
The technique of printing was known to the Chinese as early as the 9th century.
早在9 世紀， 中國人就了解了印刷術。
As early as his second film, Chaplin had developed his own feature of acting.
早在卓別林演第二部電影時，他就已經形成了他自己的表演風格。
2）句中which was…and the west 是一個非限制性定語從句，修飾the Silk Road, 對the Silk Road 作進一步的說明。
3）in use 是一個介詞短語，表示“在使用中”，其中use作名詞。該短語可以作多種成分。 如： Old English is not in use today.(作表語)
They found the bridge still in use.（作賓語補足語）
This is a language not in use today.（作后置定語）
5． Chinese people managed to travel further and further along the Silk Road,introducing silk, China, tea, etc. to other country.中國人沿絲綢之路越走越遠，將絲綢，瓷器和茶葉等帶到其他國家。
1）”manage to do” 表示“設法成功干某事”
2）”further and further”使用的結構是：形容詞/副詞的級+and +形容詞/副詞的級.表示“越來越…”如：It gets colder and colder.
As globalization is approaching, English is becoming more and more important.
3) introducing …to other countries 是一個v-ing短語，作伴隨狀語，表示在travel 的同時， 也在introduce…。“Introduce… to…”表示“把…引入到…….,把…帶到…, 把…介紹給…”
如：Each year they will introduce young players to NBA.
每年他們都引進年輕球員去NBA打球。
6. in return for…表示“作為……..的回報，以答謝…….”
如：I’m sending him a present in return for all his help.to us.
我送他一件禮物以答謝他對我們的幫助。
I wish I could do something in return for the kindness I have received from him.
我希望我能做點什么來答謝我從他哪兒得到的幫助。
7.confusion n.困惑，分辨不清；混亂狀態
To avoid confusion, the teams are in different colours.
為了避免分辨不清，各人穿了不同顏色的衣服。
Confusion between Lucy and Lily is quite common, for they look alike.
把露西和莉莉相混淆是很正常的事，因為她倆長的太像了。
The party is in complete confusion after its election defeat.
這個政黨在選舉失敗之后陷入一片混亂狀態。
8．Influence vt. Have an effect on 影響，對…起作用
e.g. Stick to your opinion; don’t let me influence your decision.
堅持你的觀點，不要讓我影響你作出決定。
Her handwriting has obviously been influenced by her father.
她的字體很顯然受了她爸爸的影響。
What were the factors that influenced you to take the job?
是什么因素影響你接受了這份工作。
n. [U]the power to have an effect on 影響力，作用
Listening to music had a great influence on his music.
聽音樂對她產生了巨大的影響。
[C]a person or thing that has this power 有影響的人或事。
Rock music and blues are the main influences on hs music.
搖滾樂和布魯斯對他的音樂有著主要的影響。