Unit 1 Education Is a KeyPart Ⅰ Warming up 1
Part Ⅱ Educational systems 4
Part Ⅲ University life 10
Part Ⅳ University campus 17
Unit 2 Colorful Lands,Colorful PeoplePart Ⅰ Warming up 21
Part Ⅱ The world's six billionth inhabitant 25
Part Ⅲ Features of the earth 27
Part Ⅳ Short talks on listening skills 30
Focus on the Main IdeaUnit 3 Travelling from Place to placePart Ⅰ Warming up 32
Part Ⅱ It's the only way to travel 34
Part Ⅲ Villa Rentals 37
Part Ⅳ Language study and language appreciation 42
Unit 4 Approaching CulturePart Ⅰ Warming up 44
Part Ⅱ Places to enjoy 51
Part Ⅲ Life here and there 56
Part Ⅳ International business 62
Unit 5 Net Changes LifePart Ⅰ Warming up 65
Part Ⅱ Network and networking 68
Part Ⅲ Future of the Internet 72
Part Ⅳ Short talks on listening skills 76
Be Careful with NumbersUnit 6 For the Glory of SportPart Ⅰ Warming up 77
Part Ⅱ The sporting spirit 80
Part Ⅲ Sports and entertainment choices 84
Part Ⅳ Language study and language appreciation 87
Unit 7 TransportationPart Ⅰ Warming up 90
Part Ⅱ Green Transportation Festival 96
Part Ⅲ The UN Road Safety Week 98
Part Ⅳ Asia's cities face gridlock 100
Unit 8 Trends in EconomicsPart Ⅰ Warming up 102
Part Ⅱ Nobel Prize winner for economics 106
Part Ⅲ "Bulls"and"bears" 108
Part Ⅳ Short talks on listening skills 110
Thinking Ahead of the Speaker—Anticipation HelpsUnit 9 For Peace and DevelopmentPart Ⅰ Warming up 112
Part Ⅱ The Panama Canal handover 115
Part Ⅲ UN peacekeeping missions 117
Part Ⅳ Language study and language appreciation 118
Unit 10 Happy New YearPart Ⅰ Warming up 121
Part Ⅱ Chinese New Year 125
Part Ⅲ The time ball 130
Part Ⅳ What's your New Year's resolution? 132
Unit 11 Visions of the FuturePart Ⅰ Warming up 136
Part Ⅱ The Times capsule 139
Part Ⅲ Predictions on tomorrow 142
Part Ⅳ Language study and language appreciation 145
Unit 12 Dictation 147
Vocabulary 153
Acknowledgements 172