蒸汽的高成本、加上货运对速度的低需求，使得世界上大多数的海运货物都是通过帆船来运输的，直到20世纪初，这一状况才有所改变。

The high cost of steam and the lesser need for speed kept the majority of the world's ocean freight moving by sail until the early years of the 20th century.

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二十世纪初，世界人口不断增长，但人们还没有认识到足够的氨可以让耕地更加肥沃。

In the early 20th century, the world's growing population couldn't find enough ammonia to fertilise all its crops.

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经过长期的金融投机，这世界现在好像大梦初醒。

The world is emerging from a long period of financial speculation.

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