阅读是语言学习者最重要的信息输入形式之一。本教材选择西方主流经济类媒体的相关报道，使学生在了解当今世界所发生的各类商务事件的同时，提高其对商务英语语言的理解和应用能力。本教材取材新颖、语篇精炼、主题多样、难度适中。各单篇幅字数约为6000字左右，内容涉及经济、金融、贸易、管理、投资、科技、环保等主题，便于学习者从多个视角理解现实经济社会运行状况。

本教材的编写设计以学习者的需求为出发点，重在培养学习者的语言应用能力。在编写结构上，本教材由单元语篇、词汇、内容注释、练习四部分组成。

Chapter 1 Wall Street Reels, NYC Braces for Tough Economy

Chapter 2 Chief Struggles to Revive Merrill Lynch

Chapter 3 Out of the Frying Pan

Chapter 4 A Capital Crunch Is Coming If Cash Calls Aren't Speeded Up

Chapter 5 Confidence Ebbs for Bank Sector and Stocks Fall

Chapter 6 Slowing Economy Gives Way to Global Role Reversals

Chapter 7 The Wild Green Yonder

Chapter 8 Let's Hope It's Over Soon

Chapter 9 Fearless Prospecting in a Changing Economy

Chapter 10 The Doha Round... and Round... and Round

Chapter 11 Bartering Expands in the Internet Age

Chapter 12 The Meaning of Bill Gates

Chapter 13 In Surprise, 2 Tech Titans Disappoint

Chapter 14 Boom Times Take Root in Dubai

Chapter 15 Big Business Shows Politicians How the Planet Can Be Saved