本书包括8个单元。每单元主要内容如下：
第一部分为Vocabulary and Structure，包括短语填空和改错，后者与单元主题相关。
第二部分为Translation，包括英译汉（句子翻译）、汉译英（包括部分句子、完整句子和段落翻译）。
第三部分为Reading Comprehension，包括快速阅读理解（Fast Reading）、篇章层次词汇理解（Reading in Depth-Banked Cloze）、题型为多项选择题的阅读理解（Multiple Choice Questions）、雅思（IELTS）阅读理解、托福（TOEFL）阅读理解各一篇，每种题型均与单元主题相关。
第四部分为Writing，为大学英语四级写作题型。要求学生以已经给出的中文提示为框架，写一篇120词左右的短文，与单元主题相关。
本书最后提供所有练习的参考答案，供学生自学自查之用。
《自主练习（第3版）3》内容丰富，练习多样，设计灵活。教师可以根据本校的学生水平以及因材施教的原则，有选择地使用这些练习，从而为学生的个性化自主学习提供空间。

Unit 1 Hero and courage
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 2 Communication
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 3 Stress
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 4 Study Abroad
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 5 Consumption
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 6 Aging society
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 7 Leadership
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing
Unit 8 Leadership
Part One Vocabulary and Structure
Part Two Translation
Part Three Reading Comprehension
Part Four Writing