Shadowing Practice: RE2 Unit 11A - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Track 21.
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Reading 11a.
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The Knowledge Illusion.
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A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total.
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The bat costs $1 more than the ball.
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How much does the ball cost?
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If you answered 10 cents, you're not alone.
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Most people give the same answer.
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The correct answer is 5 cents.
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It's an example of how we often rely on intuitive responses, answers we feel are true.
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People give answers that pop into their mind, says cognitive scientist Stephen Sloman.
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We don't spend much time reflecting and checking whether the answer is right or wrong.
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The bat and ball question helps explain why we often believe in fake news.
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It is part of human nature to believe, says Sloman, but the trick with fake news is to know to verify.
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In other words, to stop and question what you know.
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In one experiment, Sloman and a colleague invented a discovery called helium rain.
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They told a group of volunteers about it, but admitted they could not fully explain what it was.
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They then asked the volunteers to rate their own understanding of helium rain.
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Most volunteers rated themselves 1 out of 7, meaning they did not understand the concept.
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The researchers then told another group of volunteers about the discovery.
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This time, they said that scientists could fully explain how it works.
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When asked to rate their understanding, the volunteers gave an average answer of 2.
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The scientists' confidence gave the volunteers an increased sense of their own understanding, Sloman says.
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According to Sloman, studies show that knowledge spreads like a contagion.
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This idea can be seen in many fields, including politics.
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If everyone around you is saying they understand why a politician is crooked, Sloman says, then you're going to start thinking that you understand too.
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Another explanation for the spread of fake news is motivated reasoning, writes Adam Waits, a management professor at the Kellogg School.
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We are naturally more likely to believe things that confirm our existing opinions.
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If you already have a negative opinion about someone, you're more likely to trust damaging stories about them.
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Over time, Waits argues, motivated reasoning can lead to a false social consensus.
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So, in a world where misleading information is common, is there a way to protect ourselves?
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I don't think it's possible to train individuals to verify everything that they encounter, Sloman admits.
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It is just too human to believe what you're told.
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However, training people to care about fact-checking is important, he argues, especially in online communities.
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Think of the headlines and stories that are shared on your social media feed every day.
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Probably these fit in with your own worldview, but perhaps not all of them are true.
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Develop a norm in your community that says, we should check things and not just take them at face value, Sloman says.
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Verify before you believe.

Why This Video Is Perfect for Sharpening Your Speaking Skills

This clip is a goldmine for English learners because it blends everyday language with thought-provoking ideas, making it easy to connect with and practice. The conversational tone—like phrases such as "If you answered 10 cents, you're not alone"—mimics real-world dialogue, helping you get comfortable with natural speech patterns. Plus, the topics (fake news, human reasoning) are relatable, so you’ll stay engaged while improving your fluency. It’s the ideal material for mastering the shadowing technique, where you repeat phrases right after hearing them, to build confidence and accuracy.

Breaking Down Natural Speech: 3 Key Phrases

Let’s look at why the video’s language sounds so authentic:

  • "Most people give the same answer." Short, direct, and full of common words—this is how native speakers actually talk. Notice the casual "give" instead of "provide"—it keeps the tone friendly.
  • "It is just too human to believe what you're told." The phrase "too human" is a clever way to explain a universal trait, and "what you're told" is a natural shortcut for "information you receive." This structure helps you sound more conversational.
  • "Verify before you believe." A catchy, memorable slogan that uses parallel structure. It’s easy to repeat, making it perfect for shadow speak practice—you’ll nail the rhythm and emphasis in no time.

Your 5-Minute Practice Routine: Shadowing Made Simple

Use the shadowing technique to turn this video into a speaking workout. Here’s how:

  1. Listen once: Focus on the speaker’s pace and intonation. Notice how they stress words like "verify" or "fake news."
  2. Shadow immediately: Pause the video after 5-10 seconds, then repeat the phrase out loud, copying the tone and rhythm. This is shadow speech—it trains your mouth to move like a native.
  3. Record yourself: Compare your recording to the video. Did you catch the "uh" sounds (like "It’s an example of how we often…")? These small details boost your pronunciation.
  4. Repeat daily: Spend 5 minutes on 2-3 phrases. Over time, you’ll notice your English pronunciation getting clearer, and you’ll feel more confident speaking up in conversations.

Remember: Every repeat brings you closer to sounding natural. With shadowspeaks practice, you’re not just learning words—you’re mastering how to connect with others. Start today, and watch your progress soar!

¿Qué es la Técnica de Shadowing?

Shadowing es una técnica de aprendizaje de idiomas respaldada por la ciencia, desarrollada originalmente para la formación de intérpretes profesionales y popularizada por el políglota Dr. Alexander Arguelles. El método es simple pero poderoso: escuchas audio en inglés nativo y lo repites en voz alta de inmediato, como una sombra que sigue al hablante con solo 1-2 segundos de retraso. A diferencia de la escucha pasiva o los ejercicios de gramática, el shadowing obliga a tu cerebro y músculos de la boca a procesar y reproducir simultáneamente patrones de habla reales. Las investigaciones muestran que mejora significativamente la precisión de la pronunciación, la entonación, el ritmo, el habla conectada, la comprensión auditiva y la fluidez al hablar, convirtiéndola en una de las metodologías más efectivas para la preparación del IELTS Speaking y la comunicación en inglés en el mundo real.

Técnica de shadowing: lee la guía completa paso a paso →