学习语言必须与了解、学习文化相结合。母语的学习如此，外语学习更是如此。我们常说要用对方(指母语国家人群)听得懂的方式进行表达，也就是说在进行交流时，要用符合对方文化习惯的方式进行表达。这就要求外语学习者了解、学习对方的政治，历史、社会和文化。给学习英语的学生提供一些所学语言国家的基本材料与信息，使学生有一定的了解，这就是编写此书的目的。本书帮助学生把内容与语言结合起来，通过语言掌握内容，通过对内容的分析、讨论、表达提高语言的运用能力。在练习题的编写上，抓住重点，把握概貌，不要求学生记住所有的人名、地名、日期等细节。

本书介绍美国、英国、加拿大、澳大利亚、爱尔兰、新西兰等英语国家的社会文化背景知识。学生从通俗易懂、极富时代感的阅读材料中。可以了解各国的历史发展、政治制度、社会文化、自然地貌、风土人情，把语言学习和文化学习相结合。提高跨文化交际能力。本书具有以下主要特点：

全书知识覆盖面广，反映时代最新发展动态，脉络清晰，重点突出。

中文导读提纲挈领，脚注提供丰富的文化背景知识，有效降低学习难度。

精选大量生动活泼的图片，增强学生对异国文化和异域风情的感性认识。

形式多样的练习和研究任务，培养学生的信息搜索能力、创新思维能力和研究能力。

The United States

Chapter 1 Land and History

 I. Geography

 II. The Population and Immigration

 III. History

Chapter 2 Government and Politics

 I. The Constitution and the Federal Government

 II. History of Foreign Relations

Chapter 3 National Economy

 I. Brief History of American Economy

 II. Government Involvement

 III. The Agricultural, Manufacturing and Service Industries

 IV. Wall Street and Entrepreneurship

Chapter 4 Social Life and Culture

 I. Religion

 II. Festivals and Sports

 IH. Media

 IV. Popular Culture

 V. Literature

Chapter 5 Education

 I. An Overview

 II. Developments and Problems

 III. American Higher Education

The United Kingdom

Chapter 6 Land and History

 I. Physical Features

 II. History

Chapter 7 Government and Politics

 I. Political Institutions

 II. Party Politics

 III. Foreign Policy

Chapter 8 National Economy

 I. The First Industrial Nation of the World

 II. Science and Modem Industries

 III. Trade

 IV. Financial Services

Chapter 9 Social Life

 I. Everyday Life

 II. Mobility

 III. Pastimes

 IV. Religion

 V. Mass Media

Chapter 10 Arts and Education

 I. Arts

 II. Education

Canada

Chapter 11 A Nation from Sea to Sea

 I. The Land

 II. Brief History

Chapter 12 Politics and National Economy

 I. Politics

 II. National Economy

Chapter 13 Social Life and Culture

 I. The Canadian Mosaic

 II. Religious Life

 III. Education

 IV. Literature, Arts and Popular Culture

Australia

Chapter 14 The Country Down Under

 I. The Land Down Under

 II. Geography

 III. National Symbols of Australia

 IV. Australian Political System

 V. Australia and the World

Chapter 15 Nation-building from a Convict Settlement

 I. Introduction

 II. Events and People That Made a Nation

Chapter 16 Celebrating a Multicultural Australia

 I. Australian Multiculturalism

 II. Indigenous Australians

 III. Australian Culture

 IV. Sports in Australia

 V. Famous Australians

Ireland

Chapter 17 Land, History and People

 I. Key Questions

 II. Prehistoric Ireland

 III. The Celts (c. 600 BC)

 IV. The Coming of Christianity (c. 432)

 V. Invasions and Assimilations

 VI. Revolt and Conquest (1536-1690)

 VII. Protestant Ascendancy (1691-1801)

Chapter 18 The Making of Modern Ireland

 I. Revolt and Reform

 II. The Great Hunger (1845-1849)

 III. Seeking Independence

 IV. Remaking Ireland

 V. "A Nation Once Again"

 VI. A Divided Island (1971-1998)

 VII. The Emergence of Modern Ireland

 VIII. Ireland Through Three Generations (1920 to today)

 IX. Reinventing Ireland: Once Again

 X. Ireland's New Role in the World

New Zealand

Chapter 19 Land and History

 I. Natural Environment

 II. History and People

Chapter 20 The Government and the Nation

 I. Becoming a Nation

 II. System of Government

 III. The Electoral System

 IV. The State Sector and Crown Entities

 V. The Legal System

 VI. New Zealand in the World

Chapter 21 National Economy

 I. The New Zealand Economy

 II. Agriculture and Other Primary Production

 III. Secondary Production

 IV. Tertiary Production

 V. External Trade and Trade Partners

 VI. The Economy in the Early 21st Century

Chapter 22 New Zealand Society

 I. Population

 II. Families and Marriage

 III. Sex and Gender

 IV. Health Care

 V. Education

 VI. Religion

 VII. Modem Society

Key to Exercises

Photo Credits