英语专业学生应具备的核心能力是英语听说能力，而英语听说能力的提高则取决于学生的词汇量、语言知识和文化知识。本书以英美文化为切入点，采用项目驱动和任务导向方式安排学习内容，系统介绍广泛意义上的英美文化知识和技能。其内容涉及英国和美国的地域、历史、政治、经济、文学、节日、饮食、音乐等文化知识与信息领域。知识与信息新颖、准确、通俗、实用、地道而时尚，既包括了英美国家的传统文化，又反映了英美文化的最新发展动态。作为英语专业的学生，学习和了解这些相关知识，有助于开阔视野，拓宽思路，掌握丰富的人文知识。同事本书还旨在培养学生对文化认知和文化感悟的敏感性。另外还增加了英美文化所反映的英语语言的综合运用，有利于提高学生的跨文化交际能力。

本书既可供高职高专英语专业的学生作为教材使用，也可供自学者选用。书中配有适量的插图，有助于增加学习者的直观感觉；书中还配有英文练习题，有助于进行自主式学习。

Project 1British Geographical Culture1
Task 1General Introduction1
Task 2England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland3
Task 3London9
Task 4Language and Culture12
Task 5CrossCulture Communication14

Project 2British Historical Culture19
Task 1Developing Process19
Task 2Language and Culture31
Task 3CrossCulture Communication33

Project 3British Political Culture36
Task 1The Constitutional Monarchy36
Task 2Language and Culture42
Task 3CrossCulture Communication44

Project 4British Business Culture47
Task 1General Introduction47
Task 2The Three Main Sectors of the U.K.51
Task 3Language and Culture59
Task 4CrossCulture Communication62

Project 5British Literary Culture67
Task 1Background Knowledge67
Task 2Language and Culture76
Task 3CrossCulture Communication77
Project 6British Festivals Culture82
Task 1Background Knowledge82
Task 2Language and Culture93
Task 3CrossCulture Communication97

Project 7British Food Culture102
Task 1Background Knowledge102
Task 2Language and Culture105
Task 3CrossCulture Communication110

Project 8British Music Culture114
Task 1Background Knowledge114
Task 2Language and Culture119
Task 3CrossCulture Communication121

Project 9American Geographical Culture127
Task 1Location, Size and Geographical Divisions127
Task 2Washington D.C.and New York133
Task 3Language and Culture136
Task 4CrossCulture Communication140

Project 10American Historical Culture144
Task 1Developing Process144
Task 2Language and Culture161
Task 3CrossCulture Communication164

Project 11American Political Culture168
Task 1The Federal Government168
Task 2Language and Culture174
Task 3CrossCulture Communication176

Project 12American Business Culture179
Task 1General Introduction179
Task 2The Three Main Sectors of America186
Task 3Language and Culture194
Task 4CrossCulture Communication196

Project 13American Literary Culture201
Task 1Background Knowledge201
Task 2Language and Culture209
Task 3CrossCulture Communication213

Project 14American Festival culture219
Task 1Background Knowledge219
Task 2Language and Culture232
Task 3CrossCulture Communication237

Project 15American Food Culture242
Task 1Background Knowledge242
Task 2Language and Culture244
Task 3CrossCulture Communication247

Project 16American Music Culture256
Task 1Background Knowledge256
Task 2Language and Culture262
Task 3CrossCulture Communication264