英语课程计划-National Condom Day

February the 14th is National Condom Day. It aims to raise awareness¹ of safe sex and the reasons for it. Today we live in a world where unwanted pregnancies² and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, are on the increase. This increase can be reversed with proper education, especially among young people. Half of reported STDs in the USA are among the age group 15-24. America’s Social Health Association encourages young people not to risk having sexual relations as the best way of avoiding STDs. However, it also recognizes that young people will choose to be sexually active and that it is essential to teach them about the importance of condoms and how to use them correctly.

Condoms have been used for over 400 years. They were originally made from the intestines³ of animals. Since the nineteenth century, they have been the most popular method of contraception and birth control in the world. They have saved countless⁴ lives and have prevented young girls from becoming pregnant. They are widely accepted in many countries, although the embarrassment  of talking about them has not yet disappeared. In other countries they are controversial and banned. The Roman Catholic Church opposes condom use. The demand for and use of condoms is growing rapidly. It is estimated people will buy 18.6 billion condoms in 2015.

1 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

2 pregnancies   

怀孕，妊娠( pregnancy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Since the wartime population needed replenishment, pregnancies were a good sign. 最后一桩倒不失为好现象，战时人口正该补充。
• She's had three pregnancies in four years. 她在四年中怀孕叁次。

3 intestines   

n.肠( intestine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Perhaps the most serious problems occur in the stomach and intestines. 最严重的问题或许出现在胃和肠里。 来自辞典例句
• The traps of carnivorous plants function a little like the stomachs and small intestines of animals. 食肉植物的捕蝇器起着动物的胃和小肠的作用。 来自辞典例句

4 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。