《21世纪大学新英语读写译教程》以《大学英语课程教学要求》为准则，以先进的外语教学理论为指导。教材的总体设计体现“以人为本”的人文主义教育观，注重培养学生的人文素质。教材编写坚持做到“四个结合”：语言知识与语言技能相结合、单项技能与综合应用能力相结合、语言教学与文化传授相结合、课堂教学与自主学习相结合。教材编写注重对学生的“多维度”“一体化”培养：即语言能力、学习策略、文化素养的同步培养。

本书为《21世纪大学新英语读写译教程》第4册，共分8个单元，每单元包括：Lead-in，Reading Focus，Integrated Exercises等内容。

Unit 1 College Education

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 The Disadvantages of an Elite Education

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Education Is Supposed to-ake You Rich, Not Wealthy

Unit 2 Science or Superstition

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 UFO: an Undeniably Fading Obsession

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 A Few Kind Words for Superstition

Unit 3 Old and Young

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 Old Before Her Time

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 A Return to Roots

Unit 4 Sports and Health

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 Time to Get Moving

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Get a Killer Bod with Killer Bees

Unit 5 Happiness

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 The Long and Short of It

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Happiness: A Buyer's Guide

Unit 6 Ecology

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 The Biology of Global Warming

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Earth Meanders: Resisting Global Ecological Change

Unit 7 Technology and Progress

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 Is Anyone Out There Listening?

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Why E-mail Has Become the New Snail Mail

Unit 8 Humanity and Nature

 Lead-in

 Reading Focus-Text A

 A Long,Melancholy Roar-Are Modern Human Fears Misplaced?

 Integrated Exercises

 Reading Focus-Text B

 Eye of the Tiger