本书是《大学英语泛读教程3》，适合非英语专业学生二年级上半学期使用。本教材共4个单元，每个单元由3章组成。
本教材的主要内容有家庭、语言与文化、锻炼与健康、发明家、历史、科学技术等，与学生的生活联系紧密。此外，学生还可通过形式多样的练习，以口头和书面的方式讨论自身经历、本国风俗文化及与美国和其他国家的差异等。

Skills
Introduction
UNIT 1: LIVING IN SOCIETY
　Chapter 1 The Paradox of Happiness
　Chapter 2 Close to Home: Technological Advances Erode Barrier Between Work and Home
　Chapter 3 The Birth-Order Myth
UNIT 2: SAFETY AND HEALTH
　Chapter 4 Why So Many More Americans Die in Fires
　Chapter 5 Acupuncture: The New Old Medicine
　Chapter 6 Highs and Lows in Self-Esteem
UNIT 3: GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION
　Chapter 7 The Federal System of Government
　Chapter 8 Too Soon Old, Too Late Wise
　Chapter 9 The Pursuit of Excellence
UNIT 4: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Skills
Introduction
UNIT 1: LIVING IN SOCIETY
　Chapter 1 The Paradox of Happiness
　Chapter 2 Close to Home: Technological Advances Erode Barrier Between Work and Home
　Chapter 3 The Birth-Order Myth
UNIT 2: SAFETY AND HEALTH
　Chapter 4 Why So Many More Americans Die in Fires
　Chapter 5 Acupuncture: The New Old Medicine
　Chapter 6 Highs and Lows in Self-Esteem
UNIT 3: GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION
　Chapter 7 The Federal System of Government
　Chapter 8 Too Soon Old, Too Late Wise
　Chapter 9 The Pursuit of Excellence
UNIT 4: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
　Chapter 10 Antarctica: Whose Continent Is It Anyway?
　Chapter 11 A Messenger from the Past
　Chapter 12 Is Time Travel Possible?
Word List