本教程共含18个单元，每单元分Text A和Text B(一篇用于课堂，另一篇供课后练习)。并配有“Introduction to Important Reading Strategies and Skills”。本教程的编写采取“主题与技能”相结合的模式，即单元设置围绕内容主题，练习设计针对阅读技能与文章内容。

书中所选的文章短小精悍，生动有趣，便于听、说、读、写、译的训练；练习设计层层深入，通过训练达到学懂、会用的教学目的。

Introduction to Important Reading Strategies and Skills

Unit One American Life

　Text A Choosing the Way We Live

　Text B The Evolving Notion of Home

Unit Two Government

　Text A Government in Britain

　Text B Government in the U.S

Unit Three Job

　Text A Charcoal Drawing

　Text B My First Job -- The Parking-Lot Sweeper

Unit Four Discovery

　Text A Is Intelligence Inherited?

　Text B Improving Your Memory

Unit Five Education

　Text A American Style of Education

　Text B College: A Transition Point in My Life

Unit Six Morality

　Text A Morality Without Free W

　Text B Moral Issues

Unit Seven Friendship

　Text A E-Mail to Understanding

　Text B Friendship of American Style

Unit Eight Social Changes

　Text A Major Consequences of Modernization

　Text B Cultural Change

Unit Nine Emotional Issues

　Text A Overcoming Loneliness

　Text B What Are the Causes of Divorce?

Unit Ten Health

　Text A Health & Fitness

　Text B Walking

Unit Eleven Culture and Geography

　Text A Culture and Cuisine

　Text B Florida

Unit Twelve Water

　Text A Household Water

　Text B Water Wars

Unit Thirteen Sports

　Text A Breaking Barriers Through Sports

　Text B How Much Exercise Do I Need?

Unit Fourteen Economy

　Text A Connectivity and Economic Growth

　Text B The Place of Business and Work in U.S. Society

Unit Fifteen Women Problems

　Text A For Working Women, Job Equality Elusive

　Text B Women in the Workforce

Unit Sixteen Environment

　Text A Smog Controls Useless Without Global Clean-Up

　Text B Plastic Bags-- Prolific Problems

Unit Seventeen Pay

　Text A What Does McDonald's Pay?

　Text B All Pay Is Not Created Equal

Unit Eighteen Internet

　Text A On-Line or Off-Line

　Text B The Internet and the Intranet

Answer Key