本教程由20个单元组成。每单元围绕一个主题展开,包括课文、讨论题、词汇练习、阅读八练习、翻译练习、写作及补充阅读材料。这样,听、说、读、写、译各项技能的培养与训练都可以围绕同一主题展开。这五种语言技能在同一主题下通过不同的练习形式反复循环、不断深化而得到迅速提高。课文中的单词注释及练习的形式是征求研究生的意见和愿望的基础上编排的。考虑到他们英语学时少,其他课程任务重的实际情况,合理地利用有限的时间显得十分重要。课文里的生词用中文注释可使学生在短时间内掌握其大概意义,而它们的准确意义和用法则要靠学生在上下文中去体会理解。一些**词的学习可以通过做词汇练习来完成。阅读理解、翻译练习形式及写作与现在英语考试中通常采用的形式相吻合,这在一定程度上解决了英语教学中所学与所考脱节的问题。

Unit 1 How to Become a Good Graduate Student?
Supplementary Reading: A Letter to Prospective Graduate Students
Unit 2 Effects of Urbanization on Natural Environments
Supplementary Reading: Urbanization and Social Deterioration
Unit 3 Wheel of Mistfortune
Supplementary Reading: Remember Yellow Journalism
Unit 4 A Delicate Balance
Supplementary Reading: Environmental Effects of Acid Rain
Unit 5 International Promotion Strategy
Supplementary Reading: Advertising Strategies
Unit 6 Is It in the Genes?
Supplementary Reading: The AIDS Epidemic: Considerations for the 21st Century
Unit 7 A New Focus on Family Values
Supplementary Reading: The Gardener
Unit 8 Education-Less of It
Supplementary Reading: I Got My B.A. by Sheer Luck
Unit 9 The Equality of Languages
Supplementary Reading: English Dominates Internet
Unit 10 Impacts of Globalization
Supplementary Reading: Is Technology Moving Too Fast?
Unit 11 Why We Laugh
Supplementary Reading: Stress and Its Management
Unit 12 Bogots in the Ivory Tower
Supplementary Reading: What Ever happened to the Population Explosion?
Unit 13 The Power of Music
Supplementary Reading: Music for Stress Management
Unit 14 The New Nuclear Age
Supplementary Reading: Exorcising an Old Demon
Unit 15 Coverage Denied
Supplementary Reading: Dow Clombs to Another Record
Unit 16 A Senator's Double Life
Supplementary Reading: His Own Best Case
Unit 17 The Simple Life Comes Back
Supplementary Reading: Black? White? Asian? How about American?
Unit 18 What's an Intranet?
Supplementary Reading: Computer Networks
Unit 19 Surviving in Space
Supplementary Reading: China Claims Its Place In Space
Unit 20 Family Expands Knowledge through Travel
Supplementary Reading: World Tourism Organization