《研究生英语精读教程（下）》的主要特点是：集实用性与时代感于一身。所有选用题材都力求贴近学生，贴近生活，从而使学生能对所学内容进行深入的思考和灵活多样的讨论。所选课文语言难度适中，以确保学生能将所学的语言运用自如，真正提高用英语进行交际的能力。同时，除个别经典作品之外，绝大部分选材都来自2004年以来的英美报刊、网络及书籍，具有鲜明的时代特点，给学习者以耳目一新的感觉，从而加强了教材的趣味性和可读性。此外，教材中的欣赏课文短小精悍，文字优美，题材丰富，可供学生诵读、熟记。书中所提供的练习形式多样，既注重学生基本功的训练，又兼顾各类各层次英语测试中不同题型的实际操练，切实提高学生运用语言的综合素质。

Unit One
Text　　Some Meanings of Authentic Love
Further Reading　　An Echo ofKrystalnacht
Reading Appreciation Love Is Not Like Merchandise

Unit Two
Text　　Life Fourth Millennium
Further Reading　　Future World
Reading Appreciation　Alienation and the Intemet

Unift Three
Text　　High-Tech Farming：Is It Inhumane
——and Dangerousg．
Further Reading　　Will Frankenfood Feed the Wodd?
Reading Appreciation　Intellectual Ambition

Unit Four
Text　　Streets of the Lost
Further Reading Diogenes and Alexander
Reading Appreciation The Right Attitude!
Unit five
Text　　Japanese and American Workers：
Two Casts ofMind
Further Reading The Art of Global Thinking：East，
West：Conflicting or Complementary?
Reading Appreciation　Russell on Wisdom
Unit Six

Text　　Conversation
Further Reading The Miracle ofLanguage
Reading Appreciation　Inaugural Address

Unit Seven
Text The On—Going Traveler：Norman Lewis
Further Reading The Monster
Reading Appreciation　Write Your Own Life

Unit Eight
Text　　Shades of Grey
Further Reading　　Rich North，Hungry South
Reading Appreciation The Great Fall ofChina?