1. HIV/AIDS

　　AIDS [Acquired Immure Deficiency Syndrome [`sindr[um] (获得性免疫缺陷综合征)] is the late stage of infection caused by a virus, HIV [Human Immunodeficiency [9imjun[udi`fiF[nsi] Virus (人类免疫缺陷病毒)]. A person who is infected with HIV can look and feel healthy for up to 10 years or more before signs of AIDS appear. But HIV steadily weakens the body's immune system until it can no longer fight off infections such as pneumonia [ nju(:)`m[unj[ ], diarrhoea [ 9dai[`ri[ ] and tumours [ `tju5m[ ]. Most people die within three years of the first signs of AIDS appearing. The three main ways someone can get HIV is through unprotected sex, dirty needles and from mother to child (before birth, during delivery or through breast-feeding).
　　It is OK to play sports and work together, shake hands, hug friends or kiss them on the cheek or hands, sleep in the same room, breathe the same air, share drinking and eating utensils and towels [ `tau[l ], use the same washing water and swim in the same swimming pool. You cannot get infected through spitting, sneezing, coughing or through bites from mosquitoes [ m[s`ki:t[u ] or other insects.
　　According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, in this year of the new century, more than 36 million people are living with the HIV infection. Three million people died from AIDS in the year 2000.

2. jump

(1) vi. rise off the ground 跳
She jumped to her feet and rushed out of the room.
My heart was jumping with fear.
She had to jump off the bike to avoid bumping into a girl.
Can you jump over the wall?
Jim jumped six feet in the High Jump at the sport meeting.
jump over a fence / across a stream / into a river / through the window
jump forward / off / backward / away
He keeps jumping from one topic to another.
They jumped into the discussion as soon as the subject came up.

(2) vi. abrupt rise in amount , value大幅度上涨；增加
Several days ago the prize of meat jumped sharply.
The number of the students in universities has jumped.

3. compare vt. liken; express similarities 比较

Compare the copy with the original one.
Compare these examples of Rembrandt's early and late styles.
can (or cannot) compare with; can (cannot) be compared with
（不）能和……相比
Walking cannot compare with flying.
No artificial light can compare with daylight for general use.
compare … with 和……相比；把……和……比较
Compared with many women in her age, she was really fortunate.
Overall industrial production was up by 7 per cent compared with 1990.
His discontent is nothing when compared with Tom's.
compare … to 把……比作
Shakespeare compared the world to a stage.
He was often compared to a little mouse.
Doctors compare the heart to a pump.

4. confirm vt.

(1) provide support for the truth 证实；肯定
The experiment confirmed his theory.
My suspicion was finally confirmed.

(2) encourage … in the opinion 加强；坚定（信念）
The latest news confirmed my belief (me in my belief).
He was confirmed in his opinions by all his friends.

(3) make formally valid 批准；同意
The treaty was confirmed by the king.
Do you think the President will confirm you in the office?