Chapter 1 Predeparture Planning 1
Ⅰ．中文导读 2
Ⅱ．General Overview 3
Ⅲ．Reading Practice 9
Passage 1 Celebrating J-Day：Lifeguard Olympics 9
Passage 2 U．S．Green Cards 10
Passage 3 Educating the Next Steve Jobs 13
Ⅳ．Typical Words and Expressions 14
Ⅴ．Questions for Discussion 15
Chapter 2 Understanding the United States 16
Ⅰ．中文导读 17
Ⅱ．General Overview 18
Ⅲ．Related Information 20
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 26
Passage 1 Major Cities in the East and West 26
Passage 2 Windy City—Chicago 28
Passage 3 The History of Chinese Americans 29
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 31
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 32
Chapter 3 Economy of the United States 33
Ⅰ．中文导读 34
Ⅱ．General Overview 34
Ⅲ．Related Information 37
Ⅳ．Economic Terms 39
Ⅴ．Reading Practice 41
Passage 1 Banks and Securities 41
Passage 2 Jeff Bezos 43
Passage 3 Money Matters 45
Ⅵ．Typical Words and Expressions 47
Ⅶ．Questions for Discussion 48
Chapter 4 Higher Education in the United States 49
Ⅰ．中文导读 50
Ⅱ．General Overview 50
Ⅲ．Reading Practice 57
Passage 1 Comell University 57
Passage 2 Commencement Speech at Stanford Given by Steve Jobs（Excerpts） 58
Passage 3 Your 5 Steps to U．S．Study 60
Ⅳ．Typical Words and Expressions 64
Ⅴ．Questions for Discussion 64
Chapter 5 American Legal System 65
Ⅰ．中文导读 66
Ⅱ．Overview of American Legal System 66
Ⅲ．Related Information 69
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 70
Passage 1 Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting 70
Passage 2 O．J．Simpson Murder Case 72
Passage 3 How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card 74
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 77
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 78
Chapter 6 Religion in the United States 79
Ⅰ．中文导读 80
Ⅱ．General Overview 81
Ⅲ．Religious Culture 83
Ⅳ．Religious Terms 85
Ⅴ．Reading Practice 86
Passage 1 Christianity 86
Passage 2 How Americans View God 88
Passage 3 Suggestions Related to Religions for Foreign Visitors 89
Ⅵ．Typical Words and Expressions 92
Ⅶ．Questions for Discussion 93
Chapter 7 Presidential Election System in the United States 94
Ⅰ．中文导读 95
Ⅱ．General Overview 96
Ⅲ．Related Information 99
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 101
Passage 1 President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address 101
Passage 2 A Guide To Politics In America 104
Passage 3 White House Tours 107
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 109
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 110
Chapter 8 The American Character 111
Ⅰ．中文导读 112
Ⅱ．Overview ofthe American Character 113
Ⅲ．Reading Practice 116
Passage 1 UnderstandingAmerican English 116
Passage 2 What Is an American 118
Passage 3 What Is theAmerican Dream 121
Ⅳ．Typical Words and Expressions 124
Ⅴ．Questions for Discussion 125
Chapter 9 Sports and Recreation in the United States 126
Ⅰ．中文导读 127
Ⅱ．Overview of Spots and Leisure Activities 128
Ⅲ．Related Information 131
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 133
Passage 1 National Basketball Association 133
Passage 2 Walt Disney—A Look at the Man Behind Mickey Mouse 136
Passage 3 The Importance of Hobbies For Stress Relief 138
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 140
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 141
Chapter 10 Holidays and Festivals in the United States 142
Ⅰ．中文导读 143
Ⅱ．Varieties ofAmerican Holidays and Festivals 143
Ⅲ．Related Information 147
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 149
Passage 1 Merry Christmas 149
Passage 2 Thanksgiving Day in America 152
Passage 3 Obama's Weekly Address 154
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 157
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 158
Chapter 11 Beginning the U．S．Education 159
Ⅰ．中文导读 160
Ⅱ．General Overview 161
Ⅲ．Related Information 164
Ⅳ．Glossary of Terms 169
Ⅴ Reading Practice 170
Passage 1 Ways to Make Friends at College 170
Passage 2 Tips for Conquering Your College Freshmen Fears 172
Passage 3 Dealing with“Culture Shock” 173
Ⅵ．Typical Words and Expressions 176
Ⅶ．Questions for Discussion 177
Chapter 12 Learning about American Culture 178
Ⅰ．中文导读 179
Ⅱ．General Overview 180
Ⅲ．Related Information 184
Ⅳ．Reading Practice 185
Passage 1 Norms：Folkways，Mores，and Taboos 185
Passage 2 Americans'Communication Style 187
Passage 3 Five famous Symbols ofAmerican Culture 189
Ⅴ．Typical Words and Expressions 191
Ⅵ．Questions for Discussion 192
重点参考书目和网站 193