教材所选用的课文语言规范、内容新颖、题材广泛、文体多样，尽力将知识性、时代性、趣味性融于一体，把第二语言习得与专业学习融合在一起，提高了学生学习英语的积极性和参与意识。语法讲解简明扼要，讲求实用，进一步加强学生英语知识学习。练习是本教材的重要组成部分，本教材贯彻了以“以练为主”“以学生为中心”的教学理念，强调听、说、读、写、译全面发展。练习数量大、覆盖面广、复现率高，有利于知识的巩固和产出，把知识转化为技能。
　　《大学通识英语阅读》注意从易到难、循序渐进的教学原则，且各单元既相关联，又可单独使用。因此，教师可以根据学生的不同水平选择教学内容，做到因材施教。

Unit 1
Text A The Master of Tennis
Extra Reading Practice Table Tennis
Text B The History of the Olympic Games
Text C Training in the Chinese National Table Tennis Training Center

Unit 2
TextA Volleyball
Extra Reading Practice Football
Text B Exercise： Six Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
Text C Benefits of Sports

Unit 3
Text A Does Your Band Need a Manager
Extra Reading Practice Make Money with Your Music - the Top 5 Ways
Text B The World of Latin Dance
Text C American Country Music

Unit 4
Text A Legend of the King
Extra Reading Practice Music Body Language = More Excitement
Text B The Early Story of Stevie Wonder
Text C Rock Music

Unit 5
Text A Belly Dance
Extra Reading Practice Belly Dancing with a Snake
Text B Belly Dance for Fitness and Weight Loss
Text C Badia Masabni

Unit6
Text A Japan's Latest Dance Craze
Extra Reading Practice Waltz
Text B The Argentine Cowboy Dance
Text C Chinese Dance

Unit 7
Text A How Should We Appreciate the Oil Painting
Extra Reading Practice Helping Children Appreciate Fine Art
Text B"Father of Modern Art" Cezanne
Text C Chinese Painting

Unit 8
Text A The Origin of Painting
Extra Reading Practice Leonardo da Vinci and The Last Supper
Text B Vincent van Gogh and the Starry Night
Text C Pablo Ruiz Picasso

Unit 9
Text A The USA Film Festival
Extra Reading Practice Ingrid Bergman
Text B Acting
Text C Dialogue in Sideways

Unit 10
Text A A Brief History of the Oscar
Extra Reading Practice How to Act 007 - Sean Connery
Text B The Opera Housein Santa Fe
Text C Dialogue in The Incredibles
Key to the Exercises