Pratica di Shadowing: The Nine O'Clock Clock | A Sherlock Holmes Mystery - Impara a parlare inglese con i video
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1
It was a bright morning in April.
2
Sherlock Holmes was cleaning his violin carefully.
3
I was reading the newspaper quietly.
4
Baker Street was busy outside.
5
Mrs. Hudson knocked and opened the door.
6
A young lady wishes to see you, she said.
7
A tall young woman entered nervously.
8
She wore a traveling coat.
9
Her eyes looked tired and worried.
10
Please forgive me for coming so early, she said.
11
My name is Sophie Whitmore.
12
I need your help urgently.
13
Sit down, Miss Whitmore, said Holmes kindly.
14
Tell us what troubles you.
15
Sophie sat down and folded her hands.
16
It concerns my great aunt, Agatha Whitmore, she explained.
17
She lives at Greystone Manor in the countryside.
18
Every evening at exactly nine o'clock, she becomes terribly ill.
19
Ill in what way? questioned Holmes.
20
She grows dizzy, said Sophie.
21
Her hands shake badly.
22
Sometimes she nearly faints.
23
It always happens at the same hour, without fail.
24
How long has this continued? asked Holmes.
25
Six weeks now, replied Sophie.
26
Our family doctor cannot explain it.
27
He has examined her thoroughly but finds nothing wrong physically.
28
Has she lost weight recently, asked Holmes, or noticed other changes besides the dizziness?
29
She has grown weaker generally, admitted Sophie.
30
She sleeps poorly and eats very little these days.
31
I fear she grows frailer with each passing week.
32
Does this illness ever happen elsewhere? questioned Holmes.
33
Sophie shook her head slowly.
34
Never, she said.
35
Last month, she visited friends in Bath.
36
She felt perfectly well the entire week.
37
The moment she returned home, the illness began again that same evening.
38
Holmes leaned forward with interest.
39
So the illness belongs to the house itself, he murmured, or to something within it.
40
Who lives at Greystone Manor with your aunt?
41
My cousin Charles lives there, said Sophie.
42
He manages her money and her affairs.
43
There is also
44
Nurse Ellen Price, who cares for my aunt daily, and of course the regular household servants.
45
And who stands to inherit your aunt's fortune? asked Holmes directly.
46
Sophie hesitated before answering.
47
Charles would receive most of it, she admitted.
48
I would receive very little.
49
But Mr. Holmes, I do not accuse him of anything.
50
I only want my aunt to get well again.
51
Naturally, said Holmes gently.
52
Tell me about the evenings themselves.
53
What happens exactly before the illness begins?
54
Nurse Price brings her evening tea at a quarter to nine, explained Sophie.
55
My aunt drinks it slowly while reading.
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The clock in her room chimes at nine o'clock precisely.
57
Almost immediately afterward, the illness begins.
58
Interesting, said Holmes.
59
And this clock?
60
Has it always been there?
61
No, said Sophie.
62
Charles gave it to her as a gift.
63
It arrived about two months ago, shortly before the illness started.
64
Holmes stood and walked toward the window.
65
Miss Whitmore, he said finally, Watson and I will travel to Greystone Manor today.
66
This case interests me greatly.
67
Sophie looked relieved immediately.
68
Thank you, Mr. Holmes, she said.
69
I was afraid nobody would believe me.
70
We arrived at Greystone Manor by early afternoon.
71
It was a grand stone house, surrounded by quiet gardens.
72
A thin, nervous woman met us at the door.
73
I am Nurse Ellen Price, she said.
74
Miss Sophie told me you were coming.
75
We would like to see Mrs. Whitmore, said Holmes politely, and speak with Dr. Mitchell, if possible.
76
The doctor is here now, said Nurse Price.
77
He visits every afternoon to check on her condition.
78
We found Dr. Mitchell examining Mrs. Whitmore in the sitting room.
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She was a frail, elderly woman with gentle eyes.
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She looked exhausted despite the early hour.
81
Mr. Holmes, said Dr. Mitchell, shaking hands firmly.
82
I confess this case puzzles me completely.
83
I have tested her blood.
84
I have examined her heart.
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Everything appears normal, yet every evening she suffers terribly.
86
Describe her symptoms precisely," said Holmes.
87
Dizziness first, explained Dr. Mitchell.
88
Then her hands begin trembling.
89
Her heartbeat becomes rapid and irregular.
90
The symptoms last roughly one hour, then disappear completely until the following evening.
91
Does anything relieve her suffering? asked Holmes.
92
Rest helps somewhat, said the doctor, but nothing cures it entirely.
93
I am genuinely worried for her health.
94
Have you considered poison as a possible cause? asked Holmes directly.
95
Dr. Mitchell looked startled by the question.
96
I had wondered privately, he admitted, but I found no evidence supporting such a theory.
97
Her food seemed perfectly ordinary, and nobody showed any obvious motive.
98
Motive is not always obvious at first glance, said Holmes thoughtfully.
99
Sometimes it hides behind kindness and careful patience.
100
Holmes turned toward Mrs. Whitmore herself.
101
Mrs. Whitmore, may I ask you some questions?
102
Of course, she said weakly, though I fear I cannot explain this mystery myself.
103
Does the illness feel like anything specific? asked Holmes.
104
A particular taste, perhaps, or a strange smell?
105
Mrs. Whitmore thought carefully.
106
There is a bitter taste sometimes, she admitted.
107
I assumed it came from my evening tea.
108
Holmes glanced quickly at Watson.
109
Who prepares your tea each evening?
110
He questioned.
111
Nurse Price prepares it, said Mrs. Whitmore.
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She has cared for me faithfully for three years now.
113
And your clock, said Holmes, the one your nephew gave you.
114
May we see it?
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Mrs. Whitmore pointed toward her bedroom.
116
It stands beside my bed, she said.
117
Charles chose it himself.
118
He said the chiming sound would comfort me.
119
Holmes examined the bedroom carefully.
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A tall wooden clock stood near the bed.
121
Its chimes were elegant, but somehow unusual looking.
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This clock is remarkably heavy, said Holmes, running his hand along its base.
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Watson, notice this small door at the bottom.
124
I looked closely and saw a tiny hidden panel.
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Holmes opened it carefully, revealing a small glass container inside.
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What is that?
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I asked, surprised.
128
A reservoir, said Holmes thoughtfully, connected somehow to the chiming mechanism.
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I suspect this clock does more than simply tell time.
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We walked downstairs toward the kitchen.
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Nurse Price was preparing the evening tea tray carefully.
132
Miss Price, said Holmes, might I examine your teapot?
133
She hesitated nervously before handing it over.
134
Holmes smelled the inside slowly, then examined the leaves remaining.
135
There is a faint bitter odor here, he remarked.
136
Watson, would you agree?
137
I smelled it carefully.
138
Yes, I said, slightly unusual, though not obviously dangerous.
139
Nurse Price's face had gone quite pale.
140
I only prepare the tea as instructed, she said quickly.
141
I had nothing unusual myself.
142
Instructed by whom? questioned Holmes sharply.
143
She looked away, saying nothing.
144
Her hands were shaking visibly now.
145
At that moment, Charles Whitmore entered the kitchen.
146
He was a well-dressed man with cold, careful eyes.
147
Mr. Holmes, he said smoothly, I understand you are investigating my aunt's illness.
148
I do hope you find an answer soon.
149
Her suffering distresses our entire family.
150
I believe I am close to an answer, said Holmes evenly.
151
Tell me, Mr. Whitmore, where did you purchase that unusual clock?
152
Charles blinked, momentarily surprised.
153
A shop in London, he said.
154
Why does this matter?
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Clocks rarely contain hidden compartments, said Holmes, unless specially made for a particular purpose.
156
Charles' smile faltered slightly.
157
I am not sure what you mean, he said carefully.
158
Perhaps you understand perfectly well, replied Holmes.
159
We shall discuss this further this evening once the household has gathered.
160
Before confronting anyone further, Holmes wished to learn more.
161
Watson, he said, we must visit London briefly.
162
That clock was not built by an ordinary craftsman.
163
We took the afternoon train back toward the city.
164
Holmes carried a small note, copied from a maker's mark hidden beneath the clock's base.
165
The mark led us to a narrow workshop near Clerkenwell.
166
An elderly clockmaker greeted us, surrounded by gears and half-finished timepieces.
167
I remember that clock well, he said, examining Holmes's description.
168
A gentleman ordered it specially, two months ago.
169
Can you describe him? asked Holmes.
170
Tall, well-dressed, rather impatient, replied the clockmaker.
171
He requested an unusual addition, a small hidden reservoir, connected to the chiming mechanism.
172
Did he explain the purpose? questioned Holmes.
173
He claimed it was for medicine, said the clockmaker.
174
He said his aunt forgot her evening dose.
175
The clock would release it automatically, so nothing could be missed.
176
It seemed a kind idea at the time.
177
Did he sign any papers for this order? asked Holmes.
178
The clockmaker searched through an old ledger.
179
Yes, here, he said, pointing to a signature.
180
Charles Whitmore.
181
He paid in full and collected it personally.
182
Holmes studied the signature carefully, comparing it silently with something in his notebook.
183
This confirms my suspicions entirely, he said quietly.
184
Is something wrong? asked the clockmaker, suddenly concerned.
185
That clock was not used for medicine, I am afraid, said Holmes gravely.
186
It was used to poison an innocent woman, slowly and deliberately.
187
The old man's face grew pale with shock.
188
I built it in good faith, he said.
189
I never imagined such a purpose.
190
You are not responsible, said Holmes kindly.
191
You built exactly what was requested.
192
The guilt belongs entirely to the man who ordered it.
193
We thanked the clockmaker for his honesty, and returned immediately to Greystone Manor.
194
Holmes now possessed everything required—physical evidence,
195
a clear motive, and proof of deliberate planning stretching back two full months.
196
This was no sudden impulse, Holmes remarked on the train.
197
planned this carefully, long before the first symptom appeared.
198
A patient kind of cruelty, I said quietly.
199
The worst kind, agreed Holmes.
200
Now, Watson, we finish what we started.
201
That evening, Holmes gathered everyone in the sitting room.
202
Mrs. Whitmore's sack wrapped warmly in blankets.
203
Dr. Mitchell stood nearby, watching carefully.
204
I believe I understand this mystery now," began Holmes.
205
Mrs. Whitmore's illness is not natural.
206
Someone has been poisoning her slowly.
207
Timed precisely to that clock, Mrs. Whitmore gasped softly.
208
Poisoned? By whom?
209
Holmes turned toward
210
Nurse Price gently.
211
Miss Price, I believe you know the truth, he said.
212
Will you tell us honestly?" Nurse Price began crying quietly.
213
I never wanted to harm her, she said.
214
She has always been kind to me.
215
Then why? asked Sophie, stepping forward anxiously.
216
Charles discovered something about my past, admitted Nurse Price.
217
My nursing certificate was forged years ago.
218
I never completed proper training.
219
He threatened to expose me publicly unless I helped him.
220
Helped him how? questioned Holmes firmly.
221
He gave me a special powder, she continued weeping.
222
He told me to add a small amount to her tea each evening.
223
He said it would only make her weak, nothing more serious.
224
The clock released it automatically when it chimed, so I would not need to measure anything myself.
225
Why did he want her weakened? asked Dr. Mitchell, horrified.
226
He needed money quickly, explained Nurse Price.
227
He hoped her illness would convince her to change her will sooner, giving him full control immediately.
228
He feared she might live for many more years otherwise.
229
Charles stood suddenly, his face furious.
230
This is ridiculous, he said.
231
Nobody can prove such accusations.
232
Actually, we can, said Holmes calmly.
233
The glass container inside your clock still holds traces of the powder.
234
Dr. Mitchell contested immediately, and Miss Price has just confessed everything in front of witnesses.
235
Charles looked around desperately, searching for an escape.
236
Two police constables entered the room, having waited quietly outside.
237
Charles Whitmore, said the inspector firmly, you are under arrest for deliberately poisoning your aunt.
238
Charles said nothing further.
239
The constables led him away without resistance.
240
Mrs. Whitmore reached toward
241
Nurse Price's hand gently.
242
You were frightened, she said softly.
243
I understand that fear completely.
244
I am deeply sorry, wept Nurse Price.
245
I should have come to you immediately instead.
246
You will not face prison, said Holmes kindly.
247
You acted under terrible pressure, and you confessed honestly today.
248
I believe the court will consider this carefully.
249
Mitchell examined the clock's hidden container thoroughly.
250
This confirms everything, he said.
251
A carefully measured dose, released nightly through this small mechanism.
252
Quite ingenious, in a horrible way.
253
How did you first suspect the clock itself?
254
I asked Holmes curiously.
255
Several details seemed significant, explained Holmes.
256
The illness began exactly when the clock arrived.
257
It occurred only within this house, never elsewhere.
258
And it started precisely when the clock chimed each evening.
259
Objects rarely cause illness through coincidence alone.
260
But why did you suspect
261
Nurse Price specifically? asked Sophie.
262
I did not initially, admitted Holmes, but someone needed access to both the tea and clock daily.
263
Few people in this household had that particular opportunity.
264
Her nervousness only confirmed my growing suspicion.
265
And the clockmaker's evidence settled the matter completely, I added.
266
Without that signature, Charles might have denied everything successfully.
267
Quite true, Watson, agreed Holmes.
268
Confession alone can sometimes be withdrawn later.
269
Written proof, however, remains considerably harder to escape.
270
Mrs. Whitmore looked towards Sophie with grateful eyes.
271
You saved my life, my dear, she said.
272
I shall never forget your courage in seeking help.
273
Sophie smiled through tears.
274
I only wish to protect you, Aunt Agatha, she said.
275
I could not bear watching you suffer silently.
276
Over the following weeks, Mrs. Whitmore's health steadily improved.
277
Without the nightly poison, her strength gradually returned.
278
Dr. Mitchell visited less frequently, satisfied with her genuine recovery.
279
Holmes and I visited once more before returning to London.
280
We found Mrs. Whitmore sitting comfortably in her garden, reading peacefully in the sunshine.
281
Mr. Holmes, she said warmly, I owe you my life entirely.
282
How can I possibly repay such a debt?
283
Your recovery is reward enough,
284
said Holmes modestly, though I confess this case taught me something valuable about patience and careful observation.
285
What will become of that terrible clock? she asked.
286
The police have kept it as evidence, said Holmes, though I suspect you will prefer an ordinary clock from now onward.
287
Mrs. Whitmore laughed softly, the first genuine laughter we had heard from her.
288
Indeed I shall, she said, a simple clock with no hidden secrets inside.
289
And Nurse Price, I asked gently, what has become of her?
290
She remains here, caring for me still, said Mrs. Whitmore.
291
I could not bring myself to dismiss her.
292
She made a terrible mistake, but her fear was genuine, and her regret seems honest.
293
A wise decision, said Holmes approvingly.
294
Punishment rarely heals anything by itself, understanding sometimes accomplishes considerably more.
295
As our carriage departed Greystone Manor, I turned toward Holmes thoughtfully.
296
A clever method, I remarked, poisoning someone through their own bedroom clock.
297
Clever, yet ultimately careless, said Holmes.
298
Charles trusted a frightened woman to keep his terrible secret forever.
299
Fear makes people obedient, Watson, but rarely makes them loyal.
300
Eventually, frightened people seek help, just as Sophie did.
301
I nodded thoughtfully, watching the countryside pass beyond our window.
302
Another mystery had been solved, not through searching for stolen treasure, but through understanding the quiet suffering hidden within an ordinary house.
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Vocabolario e note di pronuncia per questa lezione
Questa lezione di conversazione si basa sul video “The Nine O'Clock Clock”. Le parole che ritornano più spesso: Holmes, clock, Whitmore, Sophie, Price. Questo video contiene 302 frasi e 2474 parole da ripetere con lo shadowing. Il parlato dura 21:04. Chi parla mantiene un ritmo costante di circa 117 parole al minuto, comodo per lo shadowing. Solo il 71% delle parole rientra nelle 3.000 più comuni dell’inglese, quindi il lessico è impegnativo.
Vocaboli chiave di questo video
15 parole del video che vale la pena imparare, con pronuncia e significato:
| Parola | Pronuncia | Significato |
|---|---|---|
| clock sostantivo | /klɑk/ | contachilometri, tachimetro |
| carefully avverbio | /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ | minuziosamente, accuratamente |
| illness sostantivo | /ˈɪl.nəs/ | malattia |
| examine verbo | /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ | esaminare |
| aunt sostantivo | /ɑːnt/ | zia |
| poison sostantivo | /ˈpɔɪ.zən/ | veleno |
| unusual aggettivo | /ʌnˈjuːʒ(u)əl/ | insolito, particolare |
| ordinary aggettivo | /ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/ | ordinario, ordinaria |
| rarely avverbio | /ˈɹɛəɹli/ | raramente |
| shake verbo | /ˈʃeɪk/ | scuotere, agitare |
| precisely avverbio | /pɹɪˈsaɪs.li/ | precisamente, esattamente |
| gently avverbio | /ˈd͡ʒɛntli/ | soavemente, dolcemente |
| confess verbo | /kənˈfɛs/ | confessare |
| household aggettivo | /ˈhaʊshoʊld/ | domestico, casalinghi |
| bedroom sostantivo | /ˈbɛdˌɹum/ | camera da letto, camera |
I phrasal verb che sentirai
| Parola | Significato |
|---|---|
| sit down verbo | sedersi, accomodarsi |
Frasi da ripetere
Frasi brevi e complete del video che puoi riutilizzare nella conversazione di tutti i giorni:
- Have you considered poison as a possible cause?
- Whitmore, may I ask you some questions?
- Who prepares your tea each evening?
- Whitmore, where did you purchase that unusual clock?
- How did you first suspect the clock itself?
La grammatica di questo video
Le strutture che chi parla usa di più, con le parole esatte del video:
| Struttura | Nel video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + participio passato — un’azione passata che conta ancora adesso | has examined · Has she lost · has grown |
| Forma passiva be + participio passato — conta ciò che accade, non chi lo fa | was not built · could be missed · was requested |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — un’azione in corso in un momento del passato | was cleaning · was reading · were coming |
| Possibilità con “might / may” might/may + verbo — qualcosa di possibile ma non certo | might live · might have |
Pronuncia a cui fare attenzione
- I suoni “th”: gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, thoroughly /ˈθʌɹ.ə.li/, thin /ˈθɪn/, beneath /bɪˈniːθ/, withdraw /wɪðˈdɹɔ/
- I suoni “sh” e “zh”: unusual /ʌnˈjuːʒ(u)əl/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/, patience /ˈpeɪ̯.ʃəns/, specially /ˈspɛʃəli/, shortly /ˈʃɔɹtli/
- Parole lunghe — attenzione all’accento: unusual /ʌnˈjuːʒ(u)əl/, ordinary /ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/, mechanism /ˈmɛk.ə.nɪ.zəm/, deliberately /dɪˈlɪb.(ə.)ɹət.li/, considerably /kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/
I suoni difficili per chi parla italiano:
- /h/ — va soffiata, non è muta: household /ˈhaʊshoʊld/, hesitate /ˈhɛz.ə.teɪt/, harm /hɑːm/, horrible /ˈhɔɹ.ɪ.bəl/
- Consonante finale — senza aggiungere una vocale dopo: clock /klɑk/, illness /ˈɪl.nəs/, aunt /ɑːnt/, shake /ˈʃeɪk/, confess /kənˈfɛs/
- /æ/ — più aperta della “e”: examine /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/, gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, naturally /ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹə.li/, badly /ˈbæd.li/, narrow /ˈnæɹəʊ/
Come esercitarsi con questo video
- Ascolta tutto il video una volta senza parlare e annota le parole che non conosci.
- Fai shadowing frase per frase a velocità normale, ripetendo ognuna finché il tuo ritmo coincide con quello di chi parla.
- Registrati e confronta con l’originale, facendo attenzione a parole come clock, carefully, illness.
Cos'è la tecnica dello Shadowing?
Shadowing è una tecnica di apprendimento delle lingue supportata da studi scientifici, originariamente sviluppata per la formazione dei traduttori professionisti e resa popolare dal poliglotta Dr. Alexander Arguelles. Il metodo è semplice ma potente: ascolti un audio in inglese di madrelingua e lo ripeti immediatamente ad alta voce — come un'ombra che segue il parlante con un ritardo di solo 1–2 secondi. A differenza dell'ascolto passivo o degli esercizi di grammatica, lo shadowing costringe il tuo cervello e i muscoli della bocca a elaborare e riprodurre simultaneamente i modelli di discorso reale. La ricerca dimostra che migliora significativamente la precisione della pronuncia, l'intonazione, il ritmo, il discorso connesso, la comprensione dell'ascolto e la fluidità del parlato — rendendolo uno dei metodi più efficaci per la preparazione alla prova di speaking dell'IELTS e per la comunicazione reale in inglese.