本书在内容设计上每单元围绕一个反映当代生活实际的主题展开，同时兼顾语言知识、应用技能、学习策略和跨文化交际等方面内容的有机融合，指导学生全面深入地获取掌握与各主题有关的语言文化知识及丰富的语料，并针对该现实主题充分进行语言综合应用能力，特别是听说能力的培养和训练。

Unit 1 Fighting with the Forces of Nature

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A The Icy Defender

Part Ⅲ Text B The Normandy Landings

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: Providing evidence

Unit 2 Smart Cars

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A Smart Cars

Part Ⅲ Text B Intelligent Vehicles

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: How to write a rrsum6

Unit 3 Job Interview

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A Get the Job You Want

Part Ⅲ Text B A Mortal Flower

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: How to write job application letters

Unit 4 The Multicultural Society

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A America as a Collage

Part Ⅲ TextB What's American about America?

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: Ways to begin an essay

Test Yourself (Units 1-4)

Unit 5 Cruelty

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A A Friend in Need

Part Ⅲ Text B A Man of the World

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: Ways to conclude an essay

Unit 6 The Pace of Life

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part Ⅱ Text A Old Father Time Becomes a Terror

Part Ⅲ Text B Life in the Fast Lane

Part Ⅳ Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Writing Strategy: Eliminating wordiness

Unit 7 Terrorism

Part Ⅰ Pre-Reading Task

Part II Text A The Nightmare and the Dreams

Part III Text B Journey into the Shadows

Part IV Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Supplementary Exercises

Unit 8 Travel

Suggested Teaching Plan

Part I Pre-Reading Task

Part II Text A In the Jungle

Part III Text B Illinois Journey

Part IV Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks

Supplementary Exercises

Tapescripts and Key to Test Yourself (Units 5-8)

Appendix Selected Test Items of CET 4/6 Containing

the Key Words and Phrases of This Book