《新世纪大学英语泛读》是参照《大学英语教学大纲》(修订本)编写的一套供大学英语基础阶段1～4级学习的阅读教材，它与新世纪大学英语快速阅读、听力等配合使用，主要是在阅读的量上提供一个语言输入的源泉。
本教程在结构上采用了词汇注解、导言、课文正文、语言难点注释、相关文化背景注释、理解练习和翻译练习等形式。在题材方面特别注意选取大学生们所喜爱的主题，如西方文化、爱情与友谊等，且贯穿1～4册，并涵盖了英语语言、教育、科技、体育与健康、工商管理、环境保护、音乐、计算机与网络等广泛领域。在体裁方面注重各种体裁的兼顾，包括叙事、议论、抒情、说明以及经典小说与散文等文体。
本教材的大部分文章选自近年原版的英语读物以及英文报纸、杂志等，语言纯正，原汁原味。

Unit 1 English Language
Lesson 1 English, the Most Widely Used Language
Lesson 2 The Characteristics & Development of English
Lesson 3 Varieties of English
Unit 2 English Learning Methods
Lesson 4 How to Improve Your Vocabulary
Lesson 5 How to Find Time to Read
Lesson 6 Four Essential Skills in English Language Learning
Unit 3 College Life
Lesson 7 Reflections at the End of a Freshman's First Semester
Lesson 8 Away from Home
Lesson 9 Ask a Girl for a Date
Unit 4 Sports and Health
Lesson 10 Soccer
Lesson 11 My ! Free-Wheelin' Daze
Lesson 12 Exercise is the Fountain of Youth
Unit 5 Famous Universities
Lesson 13 Oxford and Cambridge
Lesson 14 Open University, United Kingdom
Lesson 15 Open University, Hong Kong
Unit 6 Famous People
Lesson 16 Helen Keller
Lesson 17 Lincoln's Childhood
Lesson 18 The Man Who Made Mickey Mouse
Unit 7 Public Media
Lesson 19 What's New? The Media
Lesson 20 Can We Become Caught in the Web?
Lesson 21 Encyclopedia Britannica
Unit 8 Environmental Protection
Lesson 22 Environmental Pollution (Part Ⅰ )
Lesson 23 Environmental Pollution (Part Ⅱ )
Lesson 24 Controlling Air Pollution——Seven Points of View
Unit 9 Western Culture
Lesson 25 In Praise of London's "Old Father"
Lesson 26 Tower Bridge
Lesson 27 London
Unit 10 Love
Lesson 28 The Lady, or the Tiger? (Part Ⅰ )
Lesson 29 The Lady, or the Tiger? (Part Ⅱ )
Lesson 30 The Romance of a Busy Broker
Key to the Exercises