Shadowing Practice: The Kitchen Is Too Messy | English Story | A2–B1 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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1
Hi, I'm Rachel.
2
Last Saturday evening, I had a few friends over for dinner.
3
I cooked a simple meal and everyone brought something to share.
4
We had a relaxed and enjoyable evening together.
5
As the evening came to an end, everyone helped with the cleanup.
6
They carried plates and glasses back to the kitchen.
7
They also gathered used napkins and empty bottles from the table.
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Even so, there was still a lot to clean.
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By the time everyone left, it was already late.
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The kitchen was much messier than usual.
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Dirty dishes filled the sink.
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Serving bowls were sitting on the counter.
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Several pots and pans were still by the stove.
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The countertop was covered with cutting boards, food containers, and cooking tools.
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There were also a few crumbs and small spills on the table.
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It was late, and I was tired.
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I didn't try to clean everything that night.
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I only took care of the things that couldn't wait.
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I put away the food that was still good.
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I placed the leftovers in containers and stored them in the refrigerator.
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I threw away empty food packages.
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I also filled two dirty pans with warm water.
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I left them to soak overnight.
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The rest of the cleaning could wait until morning.
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The next morning, I walked into the kitchen again.
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The mess looked even worse in daylight.
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I decided to start with the sink, which was still full of dirty dishes.
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First, I removed any food left on the plates and bowls.
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Then I started with the glasses.
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I washed them with dish soap and rinsed them with clean water.
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After that, I placed them on the dish rack.
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Next, I washed the plates, bowls, and serving dishes with dish soap.
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I also washed the forks, spoons, knives, and cooking tools.
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Finally, I moved on to the pots and pans.
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One pan was especially greasy from cooking meat.
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I had to scrub it carefully.
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Luckily, soaking it overnight had made the job much easier.
38
I rinsed them with clean water, then I placed them on the dish rack to air dry.
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While they dried, I wiped down the sink and cleaned the area around it.
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Next, I moved on to the countertop.
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I returned the spices and cooking oil to the cabinet it.
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I moved the other items back to their usual places.
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I also washed the cutting boards.
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Then I wiped down the countertop with a damp cloth.
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Then I cleaned the table.
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Some crumbs and small spills were still on the surface.
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I wiped the table with a damp cloth until it was clean.
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I also found two reusable food containers.
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I set them aside so I could return them later.
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After that, I checked the refrigerator.
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The leftovers from dinner were already inside.
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The night before, I had placed them wherever there was space.
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I organized everything more neatly.
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Now I could easily see what food was there.
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I did not need to throw much away.
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Everything was still fresh from the night before.
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The floor was the last big job.
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There were crumbs under the table.
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I swept the floor first.
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Then I cleaned it with a mop.
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Finally, I emptied the trash can and took out the trash.
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The dinner itself had been simple.
63
The cleanup took a little longer than I expected.
64
By late Sunday morning everything was finally back in place. Have someone over. Have someone over.
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To have someone over means to invite them to visit your home, often for a meal or social activity.
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Rachel had a few friends over for dinner last Saturday.
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messy messy if a place is messy it is untidy dirty
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or filled with things
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that are not in their proper places the opposite of messy is tidy Rachel's kitchen was very messy after dinner
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Spill To spill something means to accidentally cause a liquid or food to fall out of its container.
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Someone spilled a drink on the kitchen floor.
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Leftover A leftover is food that remains after a meal, and can be eaten later.
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When referring to uneaten food generally, the plural form, leftovers, is more common.
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Rachel put the leftovers into containers and stored them in the refrigerator.
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soak, soak.
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To soak something means to leave it in liquid for a period of time, often to make it easier to clean.
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Rachel soaked the dirty pots in warm, soapy water.
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rinse rinse to rinse something means to wash it quickly with
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clean water especially after using soap Rachel rinsed
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the dishes after washing them serving dish serving dish a serving dish is a large plate,
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bowl, or other container used to serve food at a table.
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Rachel washed each serving dish and put it back in the cabinet.
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Greasy.
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Greasy.
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If something is greasy, it is covered with or contains too much oil or fat.
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Greasy usually has a negative meaning, while oily can simply describe something containing or covered with oil.
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Rachel wiped the greasy stovetop with a cleaning cloth.
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Last Saturday evening, I had a few friends over for dinner.
89
Last Saturday evening, I had a few friends over for dinner.
90
I cooked a simple meal and everyone brought something to share I cooked a simple meal and everyone brought something to share
91
We had a relaxed and enjoyable evening together together.
92
We had a relaxed and enjoyable evening together.
93
As the evening came to an end, everyone helped with the clean -up.
94
As the evening came to an end, everyone helped with the cleanup.
95
They carried plates and glasses back to the kitchen.
96
They carried plates and glasses back to the kitchen.
97
They also gathered used napkins and empty bottles from the table.
98
They also gathered used napkins and empty bottles from the table.
99
Even so, there was still a lot to clean.
100
Even so, there was still a lot to clean.
101
By the time everyone left, it was already late.
102
By the time everyone left, it was already late.
103
The kitchen was much messier than usual.
104
The kitchen was much messier than usual.
105
Dirty dishes filled the sink.
106
Serving bowls were sitting on the counter.
107
Serving bowls were sitting on the counter.
108
Several pots and pans were still by the stove.
109
Several pots and pans were still by the stove.
110
The countertop was covered with cutting boards, food containers, and cooking tools.
111
The countertop was covered with cutting boards, food containers, and cooking tools.
112
There were also a few crumbs and small spills on the table.
113
There were also a few crumbs and small spills on the table.
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It was late, and I was tired It was late,
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and I was tired I didn't try to clean everything that night I didn't try to clean everything that night
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I only took care of the things that couldn't wait I only took care of the things that couldn't wait
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I put away the food that was still good I put away the food that was still good
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I placed the leftovers in containers and stored them in the refrigerator.
119
I placed the leftovers in containers and stored them in the refrigerator.
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refrigerator.
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I threw away empty food packages.
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I threw away empty food packages.
123
I also filled two dirty pans with warm water.
124
I also filled two dirty pans with warm water.
125
I left them to soak overnight.
126
I left them to soak overnight.
127
The rest of the cleaning could wait until morning.
128
The rest of the cleaning could wait until morning.
129
The next morning, I walked into the kitchen again.
130
The mess looked even worse in daylight.
131
The mess looked even worse in daylight.
132
I decided to start with the sink.
133
I decided to start with the sink, which was still full of dirty dishes.
134
First, I removed any food left on the plates and bowls.
135
First, I removed any food left on the plates and bowls.
136
Then I started with the glasses.
137
Then I started with the glasses.
138
I washed them with dish soap, I washed them with dish soap,
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and rinsed them with clean water,
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and rinsed them with clean water.
141
After that, I placed them on the dish rack.
142
Next, I washed the plates, bowls, and serving dishes with dish soap.
143
Next, I washed the plates, bowls, and serving dishes with dish soap.
144
I also washed the forks, spoons, knives, and cooking tools.
145
I also washed the forks, spoons, knives, and cooking tools.
146
Finally, I moved on to the pots and pans.
147
Finally, I moved on to the pots and pans.
148
One pan was especially greasy from cooking meat.
149
One pan was especially greasy from cooking meat.
150
I had to scrub it carefully.
151
I had to scrub it carefully.
152
Luckily, soaking it overnight had made the job much easier.
153
Luckily, soaking it overnight had made the job much easier.
154
I rinsed them with clean water.
155
Then I placed them on the dish rack to air dry.
156
Then, I placed them on the dish rack to air dry.
157
While they dried, I wiped down the sink and cleaned the area around it.
158
While they dried, I wiped down the sink and cleaned the area around it.
159
Next I moved on to the countertop.
160
Next, I moved on to the countertop.
161
I returned the spices and cooking oil to the cabinet.
162
I returned the spices and cooking oil to the cabinet.
163
I moved the other items back to their usual places.
164
I moved the other items back to their usual places.
165
I also washed the cutting boards.
166
I also washed the cutting boards.
167
Then, I wiped down the countertop with a damp cloth.
168
Then, I wiped down the countertop with a damp cloth.
169
Then, I cleaned the table.
170
Then, I cleaned the table.
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Some crumbs and small spills were still on the surface.
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Some crumbs and small spills were still on the surface.
173
I wiped the table with a damp cloth until it was clean.
174
I wiped the table with a damp cloth until it was clean.
175
I also found two reusable food containers.
176
I also found two reusable food containers.
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I set them aside so I could return them later.
178
I set them aside so I could return them later.
179
After that, I checked the refrigerator.
180
After that, I checked the refrigerator.
181
The leftovers from dinner were already inside.
182
The leftovers from dinner were already inside.
183
The night before I had placed them wherever there was space.
184
The night before, I had placed them wherever there was space.
185
I organized everything more neatly.
186
I organized everything more neatly.
187
Now I could easily see what food was there.
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Now I could easily see what food was there.
189
I did not need to throw much away I did not need to throw much away
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Everything was still fresh from the night before Everything was still fresh from the night before
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The floor was the last big job.
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There were crumbs under the table.
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There were crumbs under the table I swept the floor first I swept the floor first
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Then I cleaned it with a mop Then I cleaned it with a mop up.
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Finally, I emptied the trash can and took out the trash.
196
Finally, I emptied the trash can and took out the trash.
197
The dinner itself had been simple.
198
The dinner itself had been simple.
199
The clean -up took a little longer than I expected.
200
The clean -up took a little longer than I expected.
201
By late Sunday morning, everything was finally back in place.
202
By late Sunday morning, everything was finally back in place.
203
Hi, I'm Rachel.
204
Last Saturday evening, I had a few friends over for dinner.
205
I cooked a simple meal, and everyone brought something to share.
206
We had a relaxed and enjoyable evening together.
207
As the evening came to an end, everyone helped with the cleanup.
208
They carried plates and glasses back to the kitchen.
209
They also gathered used napkins and empty bottles from the table.
210
Even so, there was still a lot to clean.
211
By the time everyone left, it was already late.
212
The kitchen was much messier than usual.
213
Dirty dishes filled the sink.
214
Serving bowls were sitting on the counter.
215
Several pots and pans were still by the stove.
216
The countertop was covered with cutting boards, food containers, and cooking tools.
217
There were also a few crumbs and small spills on the table.
218
It was late, and I was tired.
219
I didn't try to clean everything that night.
220
I only took care of the things that couldn't wait.
221
I put away the food that was still good.
222
I placed the leftovers in containers and stored them in the refrigerator.
223
I threw away empty food packages.
224
I also filled two dirty pans with warm water.
225
I left them to soak overnight.
226
The rest of the cleaning could wait until morning.
227
The next morning, I walked into the kitchen again.
228
The mess looked even worse in daylight.
229
I decided to start with the sink, which was still full of dirty dishes.
230
First, I removed any food left on the plates and bowls.
231
Then I started with the glasses.
232
I washed them with dish soap and rinsed them with clean water.
233
After that, I placed them on the dish rack.
234
Next, I washed the plates, bowls, and serving dishes with dish soap.
235
I also washed the forks, spoons, knives, and cooking tools.
236
Finally, I moved on to the pots and pans.
237
One pan was especially greasy from cooking meat.
238
I had to scrub it carefully.
239
Luckily, soaking it overnight had made the job much easier.
240
I rinsed them with clean water.
241
Then I placed them on the dish rack to air dry.
242
while they dried I wiped down the sink
243
and cleaned the area around it next I moved on to the countertop I returned the spices
244
and cooking oil to the cabinet I moved the other items
245
back to their usual places I also washed the cutting boards
246
then I wiped down the countertop with a damp cloth then I cleaned the table some crumbs
247
and small spills were still on the surface i wiped the
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table with a damp cloth until it was clean i also found two reusable food containers i set them aside
249
so i could return them later after that i checked the refrigerator the leftovers from dinner were already inside.
250
The night before, I had placed them wherever there was space.
251
I organized everything more neatly.
252
Now, I could easily see what food was there.
253
I did not need to throw much away.
254
Everything was still fresh from the night before.
255
The floor was the last big job.
256
There were crumbs under the table.
257
I swept the floor first.
258
Then I cleaned it with a mop.
259
Finally, I emptied the trash can and took out the trash.
260
The dinner itself had been simple.
261
The cleanup took a little longer than I expected.
262
By late Sunday morning, everything was finally back in place.
What You'll Practice in This Lesson
This English story, set in a relatable kitchen cleanup scenario, is perfect for A2–B1 learners looking to boost their language learning through real-life context. You’ll practice understanding and using everyday verbs, descriptive phrases, and sequential language—all while following a natural narrative. The dialogue focuses on actions like cleaning, organizing, and problem-solving, making it ideal for building practical speaking and listening skills.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases to Master
- Leftovers: Food remaining after a meal (e.g., "I stored the leftovers in the fridge").
- Soak: To leave something in liquid to clean it (e.g., "I soaked the pans overnight").
- Greasy: Covered in oil or fat (e.g., "The pan was greasy from cooking meat").
- Wipe down: To clean a surface with a cloth (e.g., "I wiped down the countertop").
- Air-dry: To dry naturally without heat (e.g., "I placed the dishes to air-dry").
Practice Tips for Speaking & Pronunciation
To make the most of this video, use the shadowing technique—a proven method for improving speaking and pronunciation. Start by listening to short 5–10 second clips of the story. Pause, then repeat the lines immediately, mimicking the speed, tone, and intonation. The video’s relaxed, conversational pace is ideal for beginners; focus on matching Rachel’s natural rhythm, especially when she describes sequential actions ("First, I removed... Then I started...").
For pronunciation practice, pay attention to connected speech in phrases like "filled the sink" or "scrub it carefully"—notice how words blend smoothly. For speaking practice, retell the story in your own words, using the key vocabulary. This helps reinforce grammar and sentence structure. Repeat daily to build fluency—consistency is key in language learning!
¿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.