本书的编写以外语教学理论为指导，遵循英语教学的阶段性和循序渐进的原则，充分考虑学生现有的阅读能力，力图将阅读技巧训练和阅读实践有机地结合起来，同时兼顾信息、语言和技能三大目标。
本书共分八个单元，每单元三篇文章，练习题型为段落匹配题、信息填充题或多项选择题。书末附两套大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题，供学生检测学习效果。
本教材既可供教师在课上开展阅读技能训练，检测学生学习效果；又可供学生进行课后自我阅读训练，培养自主学习能力。同时，也适用于大学英语四、六级考试的阅读理解练习。

Unit 1 Language in mission
Passage 1 Can I successfully learn a language online?
Passage 2 Inspiring students with learning disabilities to take up a language
Passage 3 Wanting it enough: why motivation is the key to language learning
Unit 2 College—the ladder to success?
Passage 1 The benefits of earning a college degree
Passage 2 The value of a college education
Passage 3 Is college worth it?
Unit 3 Discovery of a new life stage
Passage 1 Why generations think differently
Passage 2 Minding the gap
Passage 3 What is the difference between old generation and new generation?
Unit 4 Dance with love
Passage 1 The divorce surge is over, but the myth lives on
Passage 2 Cohabitation and marriage
Passage 3 The psychology of love that lasts for a lifetime
Unit 5 The money game
Passage 1 Significance of money
Passage 2 The history of money: from barter to banknotes
Passage 3 Similarities between health and money
Unit 6 Less is more
Passage 1 Why you must have time alone
Passage 2 No pain，no gain
Passage 3 How to grow old
Unit 7 Women：making a difference
Passage 1 Women in the workforce
Passage 2 If you think we think alike，think again
Passage 3 Role of women in society
Unit 8 Human rights vs．animal rights
Passage 1 Useful companions
Passage 2 Can pets make you happy?
Passage 3 Do fish have feelings too?
2017年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题（一）
2017年12月大学英语四级考试阅读理解真题（二）
Keys