藍茉莉

　　Skipping Stones explores the changes occurring in the world as a result of information technology and globalization. The 28 paired conversations and articles in this book concern the people and issues driving those changes. Each unit includes exercises that enhance understanding. Through the readings students are given the language and background to help them understand and discuss the present and future in terms of the past.

　　本書探討因全球化及資訊科技時代來臨對全世界所帶來的改變，二十八個章節中的對話及閱讀均是和導致這些改變的人與事有關，每篇對話和閱讀之後都有練習，可增進讀者對內容的瞭解。透過本書所提供的背景介紹及語言訓練，讀者能以古鑑今，對當前世界所面臨的重要議題有更深入的思索與探討。

本書特色

　　1.比較東西文化的異同，內容涵蓋家庭、教育、政府、宗教、環保、科技及娛樂，從歷史演變及人類文明發展的歷程中，提供讀者更寬廣的視野，培養批判性思考及表達能力。

　　2.每一章圍繞一特定主題，包含對話及閱讀文章，搭配各種練習，幫助讀者訊速掌握閱讀技巧，提昇閱讀能力。

　　3.適合不同程度的學生，依據能力及興趣，選擇適合自己的內容閱讀。

Familiar Circles
Unit l　Names
Unit 2　Families
Unit 3　Friends
Unit 4　Free Time
Traditions
Unit 5　Weddings
Unit 6　Births
Unit 7　Beliefs and Superstitions
Unit 8　Tomb Sweeping Day and Easter
Entertainers/Entertainment
Unit 9　The King and Little Deng
Unit 10　Ang Lee/Lee Ang
Unit 11　Speilberg
Unit 12 O! Oxygen! Oprah!
The Path to Wired
Unit 13 Women in the Workforce
Unit 14 Our Small World
Unit 15 Stan Shih and Acer
Unit 16 Bill Gates and Microsoft
Sports
Unit 17 Games of Old
Unit 18 Olympic Moments
Unit 19 On Courts and Diamonds
Unit 20 Soccer Madness
About Environments
Unit 21 Climates of Old
Unit 22 Solar Forecasting
Unit 23 Making Ecology Pay
Unit 24 Megacities
Challenges to Face
Unit 25 Epidemics and Pandemics
Unit 26 Terrorism
Unit 27 Global Warnings! Global Warming!
Unit 28 Missing Girls