Pratique du Shadowing: READING EXPLORER 1 UNIT 7B MYSTERY OF THE TERRIBLE HAND - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

Création de la leçon...
1
Unit 7.
2
B. Mystery of the Terrible Hand.
3
A whose hand is this?
4
For 50 years, paleontologists searched for an answer to this question.
5
In 1965, paleontologists discovered a pair of giant arms in Umnagobi, an area in Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
6
The length of each arm was 2.4 metres.
7
The claws were over 25 centimetres long.
8
Palaeontologists called the animal Dinochirus, meaning terrible hand.
9
What did the body of this animal look like?
10
Palaeontologists had different opinions, but no one knew for sure.
11
They examined the area many times, but found only a few other fossils of the dinosaur.
12
So scientists used Dinochirus's arms to estimate its body size.
13
Recently, however, a team of palaeontologists dug up many more bones that tell us a lot about Dinochiris' appearance.
14
C. Dinochiris was one of the Ornithomimosaurs, a type of dinosaur that looked like a modern-day ostrich.
15
It was 11 metres long and weighed 6,000 kilograms, almost as big as a T-Rex.
16
Dinochirus was clearly very big, but it was not a predator.
17
It couldn't move quickly and in fact it had no teeth.
18
Its head looked similar to a horse's head and it had a long tail, perhaps with feathers at the end.
19
Most Surprisingly, though, Dynachyrus had a rounded hump or sail on its back.
20
This dinosaur probably ate fish, small animals and soft plants.
21
Why did it need such long limbs?
22
Paleontologists now believe that its long arms were used simply to dig for food or to pull down high branches.
23
D. So the mystery of the terrible hand, it seems, has been solved.
24
It is amazing to see what Dinokyrus actually looked like and to find out more about this giant dinosaur.
25
But Dala Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary says it's also sad in a way.
26
Even scientists like a bit of mystery and that mystery is now gone.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will explore the fascinating world of paleontology through the story of the Dinochirus, a giant dinosaur known for its mysterious arms. As you listen to the transcript from the video "Reading Explorer 1 Unit 7B: Mystery of the Terrible Hand," you will practice essential listening and speaking skills. The content is geared towards enhancing your vocabulary, comprehension, and pronunciation, which are vital for anyone preparing for IELTS speaking practice or simply wishing to learn English with YouTube.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Paleontologist - A scientist who studies fossils and ancient life.
  • Dinochirus - A dinosaur whose name means "terrible hand," known for its large limbs.
  • Fossil - The preserved remains or impression of a once-living organism.
  • Ornithomimosaur - A type of dinosaur that resembles modern birds.
  • Predator - An animal that hunts other animals for food.
  • Estimate - To make an approximate calculation or judgment.
  • Hump - A rounded protuberance on the back of an animal.
  • Comprehend - To understand fully; grasp the meaning of.

Practice Tips

To effectively improve your speaking skills using the shadowing technique, listen closely to the video at its normal speed. As you hear each sentence, pause the video and repeat it aloud, mimicking the tone and rhythm of the speaker. This technique helps you enhance not only your pronunciation but also your ability to convey emotion in your speech, similar to what is often assessed in IELTS speaking practice.

When using a shadowing app or site, consider adjusting the playback speed to a slower tempo if you find the original too challenging. Focus on particular phrases or words that resonate with you and practice them repeatedly. This will deepen your understanding of the vocabulary used in the transcript and help you incorporate it into your own language use. Remember, utilizing resources like this video offers a unique opportunity to learn English with YouTube by connecting visuals with auditory experiences, effectively boosting your language acquisition process.

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.