"A-levels" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
A-levels, short for Advanced Levels, are a set of academic qualifications taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland by students typically between the ages of 16 and 18. They are a higher level of study compared to GCSEs and are used for university admissions. A-levels focus on specific subjects, with students usually choosing three to four subjects to pursue in depth. Each subject is assessed through exams and sometimes coursework, with grades ranging from A* (highest) to E (lowest). These qualifications are crucial for entry into higher education, as they demonstrate a student's knowledge and understanding in their chosen fields.
1. Context: Education
"After completing her GCSEs, Sarah decided to focus on science subjects for her A-levels, taking Biology, Chemistry, and Physics."
2. Context: University Admissions
"To apply to Cambridge, John needed to achieve top grades in his A-levels, particularly in Mathematics and Further Mathematics."
3. Context: Career Path
"Many employers look favorably upon candidates who have strong A-level results, as it demonstrates their commitment and academic ability."
4. Context: Tutoring
"As an A-levels tutor, Mary helps students prepare for their exams, offering guidance on coursework and revision strategies."
5. Context: Comparative Education Systems
"In the UK, A-levels serve as a crucial stepping stone to higher education, akin to the American Advanced Placement (AP) exams or the German Abitur."
The term "a-bomb" is short for "atomic bomb," which is a powerful explosive weapon that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or fusion. It releases an immense amount of energy in the form of an explosion, radiation, and heat. The first atomic bombs were used by the United States during World War II, devastating the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A-level stands for Advanced Level, which is a qualification offered in the United Kingdom. It is typically taken by students in their final two years of high school, equivalent to the 12th grade in the American system. A-levels are exams that cover various subjects and are crucial for university admissions. Students usually study three or four subjects, and upon successful completion, they earn A-level certificates that demonstrate their academic proficiency.
A-O.K. is an abbreviation for "all okay" or "alright," indicating that everything is satisfactory, fine, or without any problems. It is often used to express approval, agreement, or confirm that a situation is good.
A-OK is an abbreviation that means "alright" or "acceptable." It is commonly used to indicate approval, agreement, or that something is fine.
"A-Okay" or "AOK" is an informal expression used to indicate that something is acceptable, approved, or in good condition. It is often used to convey a sense of approval or confirmation. The term possibly originated from NASA's astronaut communication, where it was used to signal that everything was going well.
The letters "a-z" refer to the alphabetical order of the English language, starting with the letter 'a' and ending with the letter 'z'. It represents all the lowercase letters in the English alphabet.
A.C. stands for "alternating current." It refers to an electric current that periodically changes direction, typically flowing back and forth in a sinusoidal pattern. This is in contrast to direct current (D.C.), which flows in one constant direction. A.C. is commonly used in power distribution systems for homes and businesses.
The abbreviation "a.d." stands for "anno domini," which is Latin and translates to "in the year of our Lord" in English. It is commonly used to indicate a date in the Common Era (CE), specifically to express a date relative to the birth of Jesus Christ. For example, 2023 AD would mean the year 2023 in the Gregorian calendar, counting from the supposed birth of Jesus.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which severely weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to life-threatening infections and diseases. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection when the body's CD4 cell count drops significantly, and the person experiences various opportunistic infections or cancers.
a.k.a. stands for "also known as." It is an abbreviation used to indicate that someone or something has another name or alias. For example, "John Smith a.k.a. Johnny S" means that John Smith is also known as Johnny S.