本书中阅读故事的篇幅长短适中，出现的生词均给出解释说明，从语言角度来看适合中级程度的学生阅读。但就其所涉及的文化背景知识来说，却可以适应各种层次的英语学习者的需求，即便是从事英语教学的老师和专门研究跨文化交际的人士也可以从中获取大量有用的素材，为自己今后的授课和研究做信息材料的积累。可谓众口皆调，开卷有益。

Unit 1 Clothing

    Reading: The Dress of Lace

Unit 2 Holidays

    Reading: Trick or Treat?

Unit 3 Health and Illness

   Reading: Coining

Unit 4 Food Taboos

    Reading: Hamburgers

Unit 5 Eating out

    Reading: Eating the Western Way

Unit 6 Guests and Hosts

    Reading: Potluck

Unit 7 Confusing Phrases

    Reading: Quit Pulling My Leg

Unit 8 Greetings

    Reading: Hand Kissing

Unit 9 Forms of Address

    Reading: What Should I CaI1 You?

Unit 10 Body Language

    Reading: An Eye for an Eye

Unit 11 Touching in Public

     Reading: I Want to Hold Your Hand

Unit 12 Dating

     Reading: Breaking up

Unit 13 Weddings

     Reading: Lady in Red

Unit 14 Good Luck and Bad Luck

     Reading: Debby's Birthday Present

Unit 15 Parents and Children

     Reading: Respect

Unit 16 The Classroom

     Reading: School Daze

Unit 17 The Changing Role of Women

     Reading: Who Pays the Check?

Unit 18 Attitudes toward Aging

     Reading: Jack's Tale

Unit 19 Stereotypes and Prejudee

     Reading: Sticks and Stones

Unit 20 Religious Practices and Beliefs

     Reading: The Surprise

World Map

Answer Key

Chinese Version