本教材依据高等职业教育的培养目标,体现“实用为主,够用为度”的高职英语教学理念,并以比较的视角进行编写,便于学生学习和掌握。全书共分十单元,内容包括英国、美国的历史、地理、政治、经济、文化、教育和社会生活等方面的基本知识。
本教材可作为三年制、二年制高等职业技术学院、高等专科学校、成人教育学院等大专层次的英语专业教材,也可作为广大自学者及英语爱好者的自学用书。

前言
Unit One Introduction
1.1 Names of the UKand the USA
1.2 Population of the UK and the USA
1.3 Language of the UK and the USA
1.4 Main Cities of the UK and the USA
Exereises
Unit Two Geography
2.1 Locations of the UK and the USA
2.2 Climate of the UK and the USA
2.3 Rivers and Mountains of the UK and the USA
Exercises
Unit Three Beginnings of the UK and the USA
3.1 Beginnings of the UK
3.2 Beginnings of the USA
Exercises
Unit Four British and American Economy
4.1 Features of the British and American Economy
4.2 British and American Industry
4.3 British and American Agriculture
4.4 British and American Trade and Finance
Exercises
Unit Five British and American Culture
5.1 British and American Literature
5.2 British and American Radio and Television
5.3 Sports in Britain and America
5.4 British and American Scenic Spots
Exercises
Unit Six British and American Education
6.1 Present Education System of the UK and the USA
6.2 Elementary and Secondary Education of the UK and the USA
6.3 Higher Education of the UK and the USA
Exercises
Unit Seven British and American Social Life
7.1 British and American Characters and Customs
7.2 British and American Holidays and Festivals
7.3 British and American Religions
Exercises
Unit Eight British and American Political Systems
8.1 Political System of the UK and the USA
8.2 Legislative Body of the UK and the USA
8.3 Executive Body of the UK and the USA
8.4 Judicial Body of the UK and the USA
Exercises
Unit Nine British and American Foreign Relations
9.1 British Foreign Relations
9.2 American Foreign Relations
Exercises
Unit Ten Significant Events of the UK and the USA
10.1 Significant Events Before World War I
10.2 Significant Events in the Two World Wars
10.3 Significant Events in the Postwar
Exercises
Appendixes
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