这是名家英语阅读大讲堂套书的其中一本。该套书中所包含的内容似乎很难用常规的领域范围来加以界定，从自然环境到社会现象，从风俗传统到神话传说，从历史事件到名人轶事，可谓包罗万象。它可以告诉我们亚瑟王的传说为什么会如此风靡西方，南极洲的生活是什么样的一番景象，J．K．罗琳，这位哈利波特之母一些不为人知的故事，以及新兴的安全卫士——网络天使究竟是怎么回事。其知识性和趣味性远非常见的阅读材料可比，堪称一部精华浓缩版的世界文明史。

Unit 1 What Is the Legend of King Arthur?

Unit 2 Why Did the Inca Empire Disappear?

Unit 3 How Do Hindus Celebrate the Diwali Festival?

Unit 4 What Is the Story Behind

             The 1,001 Arabian Nights?

Unit 5 Who Were the Samurai?

Unit 6 What Does Hair Tell Us About People?

Unit 7 How Did Chopsticks Originate?

Unit 8 Where Did Certain

            Wedding Customs Come From?

Self-Test 1

Unit 9 Who Are the CyberAngels?

Unit 10 Why Do People Want to Climb Mount Everest?

Unit 11 Why Is the Renaissance Important?

Unit 12 What Is the Most Popular Sport in the World?

Unit 13 How Did Convicts Help Settle Australia?

Unit 14 How Do Greetings Differ "Around the World?

Unit 15 Why Is Napoleon Famous?

Unit 16 Who Invented the World Wide Web?

Self-Test 2

Chinese Version

Answer Key