《21世纪大学新英语读写译教程》以《大学英语课程教学要求》为准则，以先进的外语教学理论为指导。教材的总体设计体现“以人为本”的人文主义教育观，注重培养学生的人文素质。教材编写坚持做到“四个结合”：语言知识与语言技能相结合、单项技能与综合应用能力相结合、语言教学与文化传授相结合、课堂教学与自主学习相结合。教材编写注重对学生的“多维度”“一体化”培养：即语言能力、学习策略、文化素养的同步培养。
本书为《21世纪大学新英语读写译教程》第4册，共分8个单元，每单元包括：Lead-in，Reading Focus，Integrated Exercises等内容。
Unit 1 College Education
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
The Disadvantages of an Elite Education
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Education Is Supposed to-ake You Rich, Not Wealthy
Unit 2 Science or Superstition
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
UFO: an Undeniably Fading Obsession
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
A Few Kind Words for Superstition
Unit 3 Old and Young
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
Old Before Her Time
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
A Return to Roots
Unit 4 Sports and Health
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
Time to Get Moving
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Get a Killer Bod with Killer Bees
Unit 5 Happiness
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
The Long and Short of It
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Happiness: A Buyer's Guide
Unit 6 Ecology
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
The Biology of Global Warming
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Earth Meanders: Resisting Global Ecological Change
Unit 7 Technology and Progress
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
Is Anyone Out There Listening?
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Why E-mail Has Become the New Snail Mail
Unit 8 Humanity and Nature
Lead-in
Reading Focus-Text A
A Long,Melancholy Roar-Are Modern Human Fears Misplaced?
Integrated Exercises
Reading Focus-Text B
Eye of the Tiger
