本书由十八章组成,内容涉及社会生活和文化方面的基本知识。在每章课文后的注释中简要解释历史人物、重大事件、典故、语言难点和读者不易理解的词语。每章的开头有一至两篇汉语简介,起导读作用。每章后有若干思考题,还有一篇补充阅读材料,为读者提供更多的相关信息。此外,每章最后附有参考书目及相关网址,以方便读者学习和查阅。该书的出版旨在帮助高校英语专业学生和英语爱好者了解这两个国家的社会与文化概貌,开阔他们的视野,培养他们独立思考的精神和分析批判的能力,提高他们的英语水平和跨文化交际水平。
Chapter 1 The Country and the People
Chapter 2 The British Government
Chapter 3 Justice and the Law
Chapter 4 Political Parties and Groups
Chapter 5 Constitutional Monarchy and the Royal Family
Chapter 6 The British Economy
Chapter 7 Foreign Relations
Chapter 8 Social Welfare
Chapter 9 British Famifies
Chapter 10 Class Structure and Social Problems
Chapter 11 British Education
Chapter 12 British Media
Chapter 13 Holidays and Festivals
Chapter 14 British Social Customs
Chapter 15 Leisure and Tourism
Chapter 16 Values and Beliefs
Chapter 17 Work
Chapter 18 British Literature