Pratique du Shadowing: READING EXPLORER 1 UNIT 9A MEET THE METEORITE HUNTER - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

Création de la leçon...
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Unit 9.
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A Meet the Meteorite Hunter Michael Farmer is a meteorite hunter.
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Here he talks about his unusual job, a National Geographic, NG.
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What's the hardest part of your job, Michael Farmer?
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I'm always looking for new pieces of meteorite rock, so I have to travel a lot.
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I've been to about 70 countries or so.
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The job can be dangerous because some rocks are worth a lot of money.
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On one such trip, I was robbed and almost killed.
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That was scary.
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There are other issues too.
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It's illegal to take meteorite pieces from some countries.
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So you have to be very careful and learn the law.
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It's different everywhere.
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BNG.
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Are there a lot of meteorite pieces on Earth?
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Michael Farmer.
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Yes, there are millions, but most land in the forest, jungle or ocean.
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They're almost impossible to locate.
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One of the best places to find pieces is in the Sahara Desert in Africa.
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You can see them easily in the sand.
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The heat also preserves the rocks well.
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CNG, what's the most valuable meteorite you've found?
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Michael Farmer.
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I found one piece in the Middle East and I sold it for $100,000.
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It was a small piece about the size of a walnut, but the most valuable was in Canada.
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Three partners and I discovered a very rare type of meteorite called a palisite.
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It weighed 53 kilograms and it's around 4.5 billion years old.
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We sold it to the Canadian government for just under a million dollars.
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Now it's in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
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It's a national treasure.
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DNG.
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Who else buys the rocks from you?
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Michael Farmer.
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Museums and private collectors are always calling me.
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New meteorites are in demand and so they sell quickly.
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I also sell them to a lot of scientists.
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They don't have the time or money to search for these rocks.
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Without the help of hunters, 99% of these meteorites would be lost to science.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, we will delve into the intriguing world of meteorite hunting as introduced in the video featuring Michael Farmer—a renowned meteorite hunter. Learners will practice their listening and speaking skills while exploring unique aspects of this unusual profession. By engaging with the transcript, you will enhance your vocabulary related to geology and professional challenges, as well as gain insights into the dedication required in this field. This lesson also provides an excellent opportunity to refine your shadow speech abilities, an essential technique for IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Meteorite Hunter: A person who searches for meteorite fragments that have fallen to Earth.
  • Robbed: To be steal from, usually by force or threat.
  • Sahara Desert: A large desert in Africa known for its vast sand dunes, key for meteorite discovery.
  • Palisite: A rare type of meteorite composed of olivine and metallic iron.
  • National Treasure: An item of great cultural significance, often preserved in museums.
  • Demand: The desire or need for a certain product, which in this case is meteorites.
  • Illegally: Doing something against the law.
  • Private Collectors: Individuals who purchase items for their own personal collections.

Practice Tips

As you engage with the transcript, focus on the rhythm and intonation of Michael Farmer's speech. His delivery is both engaging and conversational, making it an excellent model for shadowing practice. To effectively incorporate shadowspeak techniques, listen closely to his pauses and emphasis on key points. Begin by repeating short phrases immediately after he speaks, mimicking his tone, speed, and emotion. This not only improves your pronunciation but also your ability to convey enthusiasm when discussing unique topics, like meteorite hunting.

Consider practicing in a quiet space where you can focus entirely on shadowing site activities. Try recording your voice after shadowing to compare your pronunciation to the original. Furthermore, utilize this practice to prepare for IELTS speaking assessments, where clarity and expressiveness are crucial. Remember, the aim is to develop an authentic and fluid speaking style, so take your time and enjoy the process of exploring this fascinating profession while enhancing your English language skills.

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.