《研究生英语精读教程（第四版）》根据研究生英语教学课时的调整进行修订，精选原书中典型和有代表性的内容，并增加时新的教学主题，以适应当前研究生开设一学期综合课程的教学新形势。本书所选文章涉及科技、生活社会、文学等领域，以满足不同专业研究生学习的需要。本书练习题的设计紧扣各单元主题，包括听力练习、阅读理解、完型填空，以及紧扣研究生英语教学大纲的词汇练习，同时增加部分开放性问题，如短文写作等，以增加学生的输出练习。

Unit 1 Scientific Discovery
Text A Evolution and Natural Selection
Text B Darwin's Observations and the Social Implications of Darwinism
Unit 2 Science and Life
Text A Cancer & Chemicals
Text B Why Do My Allergies Change as I Age?
Unit 3 A Better Life on Earth
Text A The End Is Not at Hand
Text B China a Major Promoter of Global Poverty Reduction
Unit 4 Scientists and Science Community
Text A The Man Who Discovered Mother Nature
Text B Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth: China in Action
Unit 5 Society and Psychology
Text A Laws of Lasting Love
Text B You Are What You Think
Unit 6 Types of People
Text A IAm a Highbrow
Text B IAm a Lowbrow
Unit 7 Perspectives on Life
Text A Two Truths to Live by
Text B Approach to Life
Unit 8 Love in a Life
Text A This Was My Mother
Text B What Is a Great Book?
Unit 9 Art: Past and Present
Text A Art History
Text B Modern Art
Unit 10 Literature
Text A The Story behind Dream of the Red Chamber
Text B Of Studies