modern 指现代或近代，时期可长可短。也可指新颖、时髦的。
contemporary 仅指当今这个时代，不涉及任何过去的时代。但可表示不同的人或物存在于同一时代。
current 指目前存在和发生的。
recent 表示新近的，最近的，时间的长短依据所修饰的人或物而定。
present 是这些词中语气最强的一个。指现在正发生、起作用的。
up-to-date 一般用于非正式场合，指很时新、能反映当前的最新发展。
参考例句
1. The exhibition presented a picture of general prosperity in China's economy. 展览会展示了中国经济一片欣欣向荣的景象。
2. I sent her birthday present by post. 我送她的生日礼物是邮寄的。
3. The wife: Which present? 妻子说：那个礼物？
英英解释
n.
1. the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of spe
2. something presented as a gift
3. a verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking v.
1. show or demonstrate something to an interested audience
2. bring forward and present to the mind
3. perform (a play), especially on a stage
4. hand over formally
5. introduce
6. give, especially as an honor or reward
7. give as a present; make a gift of
8. deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
9. cause to come to know personally
10. represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally
11. present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize
12. formally present a debutante, a representative of a country, etc.
13. recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position adj.
1. temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration
2. spatial sense; being or existing in a specified place
