本书编写严谨，坚持大学教育文理渗透、重视素质培养的方向，体现高度的l科学性、合理性和实用性。文章短小精悍，易于学习。题材广泛生动，注意文、理、工、农、医等各学科的通用性，涉及英语国家的社会、政治、经济、文化、历史、新闻、宗教、体育、医药、文学、风土人情、科普知识等各个领域。体裁多样，语料内容与各专业学科知识自然衔接，旨在让不同专业有着不同学习需求及志趣爱好的学生对各自学科领域的语言知识有所了解。

本教材可供大学非英语专业学生基础阶段使用，也适合具有一定英语基础的其他英语学习者自学。该教材为广大英语爱好者、自学者提供了一条快速提高英语阅读能力、丰富语言文化知识的捷径。

Unit One

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Under Threat of Change

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Think More about What You Have

Unit Two

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

The Japanese Approach to Management

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

If I Rest, I Rust

Unit Three

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

How Sleep Works

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

The Art of Forgiveness

Unit Four

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

You Can't Get There Alone

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Life or Lifestyle？

Unit Five

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

New Thinking on How to Protect the Heart

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Short Answer Questions

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Paradox of Our Times

Unit Six

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Earth: Special or Not Special？

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Man Is Here for the Sake of Other Men

Unit Seven

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Why First-born Children Have Higher IQs

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Self-control

Unit Eight

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Attitude Really Matters

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Short Answer Questions

 Part HI Appreciation and Recitation

Thoughts and Peace of Mind

Unit Nine

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Recession-proofing Your Career

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

I Think, Therefore IAm

Unit Ten

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Make Your Tired Old PC Run Like New

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Choosing An Occupation

Unit Eleven

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

AIDS （Acquired lmmunodeficiency Syndrome）

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

The Balance of Nature

Unit Twelve

 Part I  Skimming and Scanning

Why Do It Yourself？

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Translation

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

The Essence of Happiness

Unit Thirteen

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Scholarships

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Confidence

Unit Fourteen

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

How to Deal with Difficult People

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Blanked Cloze

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Chasing After Your Dream

Unit Fifteen

 Part I Skimming and Scanning

Increase Your Likeability Factor

 Part II Reading in Depth

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Short Answer Questions

 Part III Appreciation and Recitation

Inaugural Address of President

Glossary