Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Books - Learn English Speaking with Video

Hello everyone and welcome back to the channel.

In today's lesson we're looking at the part one topic books.

First, you'll hear a mock interview featuring Finn, followed by a second interview featuring Blondie.

Then we'll look at some useful vocabulary and expressions from the interviews that you can use in your own answers.

Let's get started with Finn's interview.

Do you enjoy reading books?

I'd say I enjoy reading in moderation.

I wouldn't call myself a bookworm, and it's not usually my go-to activity when I have free time.

However, if a book has an interesting story or covers a topic I'm curious about, I can get quite into it.

How often do you read books?

Not very often, to be honest.

During the semester, most of my reading is related to my coursework.

Outside of that, I might read a book every now and then, especially during holidays when I have more free time.

What kinds of books do you like to read?

When I do read, I usually go for science fiction or mystery novels because they're entertaining and easy to get absorbed in.

I occasionally read nonfiction as well, but only if it's about a topic that genuinely interests me.

Did you read many books when you were a child?

Yeah, I probably read more as a child than I do now.

I used to enjoy adventure stories and fantasy books, and I spent quite a bit of time reading after school.

These days, there are just a lot more distractions competing for my attention.

What is the last book you read?

The last book I read was Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

A friend recommended it to me, and I ended up enjoying it more than I expected.

The story was really engaging, and it didn't feel like a chore to get through.

Do you prefer physical books or e-books?

Why?

I'd probably choose physical books.

I don't read often enough to invest in an e-reader, and I find physical books a bit more enjoyable.

That said, if I were traveling, I'd definitely appreciate the convenience of having several books on one device.

Is reading a popular activity in your country?

I think it's still fairly popular, but maybe not as popular as it used to be.

A lot of people spend their free time on social media, streaming platforms or video games instead.

Even so, there are still plenty of people who enjoy reading regularly.

Have your reading habits changed over the years?

Definitely.

When I was younger, I read mainly for fun and probably did it more often.

Nowadays, most of my reading is academic because of university, so I don't always feel like picking up a book when I finally have some free time.

Do you usually buy books or borrow them from a library?

Neither, really.

Since I don't read books very frequently, I only get one when there's a particular title I want to read.

If it's related to my studies, I'll usually borrow it from the university library rather than buy it.

What book would you take on a long journey?

Why?

I'd probably take a mystery or science fiction novel, something that's easy to get into and keeps me interested.

Long journeys can get pretty boring, so I'd want a book that's entertaining enough to help pass the time.

I don't read very often, but traveling is one of the few situations where I can actually sit down and focus on a book without getting distracted.

That brings us to the end of Finn's interview.

Next, let's take a look at Blondie's answers to the same set of questions.

Do you enjoy reading books?

I do, yeah, though I don't get as much time for it as I'd like these days.

Between work and trying to maintain a social life, it's tough, but I still love diving into a good story when I actually get a moment myself.

How often do you read books?

To be completely honest, it's pretty sporadic.

I might go weeks without touching a book because my schedule is just too hectic,

but then I'll totally binge read an entire novel over a single weekend when I finally have some downtime.

What kinds of books do you like to read?

Lately, I've been leaning toward memoirs and career-focused non-fiction, mostly because I like reading about other people's real-world experiences.

But if I just want to switch my brain off after a long week, I'll pick up a fast-paced thriller.

Did you read many books when you were a child?

Oh, absolutely.

I was much more of a bookworm back then, mostly because I didn't have a smartphone or a demanding job taking up all my energy.

I used to stay up way past my bedtime reading fantasy novels under the covers.

What is the last book you read?

I actually just finished Atomic Habits a couple of weeks ago.

A colleague at work recommended it to me because I was complaining about my terrible time management.

And I have to say, it actually had some really practical advice.

Do you prefer physical books or e-books?

Why?

I used to be a diehard fan of physical books, but these days I actually prefer e-books.

Since I'm always on the move, it's just way more convenient to have a whole library on my phone

or tablet rather than lugging a heavy paper back around in my bag.

Is reading a popular activity in your country?

I think it depends on who you ask.

Among professionals my age, audiobooks and podcasts seem to be taking over because people like to multitask.

But traditional reading?

I feel like it's sadly taking a backseat to streaming shows and scrolling through social media.

Have your reading habits changed over the years?

Definitely.

I don't read nearly as much as I used to and my taste has changed quite a bit too.

When I was younger, I loved getting lost in fantasy novels and huge book series.

These days though, I'm more likely to pick up a memoir or a nonfiction book, especially if it's related to personal development or something I'm interested in professionally.

Do you usually buy books or borrow them from a library?

I mostly buy them online, usually the digital versions.

I haven't set foot in a library since my university days, to be honest.

It's just easier to click download and have it instantly when I'm in the mood to read.

What book would you take on a long journey?

Why?

I'd probably take a really gripping fiction novel, something I can completely lose myself in.

Long flights or train rides are the only times I can actually read, uninterrupted, without checking my work emails.

So I'd want an absolute page-turner to make the time fly.

That was Blondie's interview.

Finn and Blondie have quite different reading habits and lifestyles, yet both give detailed and natural answers to the same questions.

Now let's move on to the vocabulary section

and look at some useful expressions you can use when talking about books and reading habits in IELTS speaking.

A bookworm is a person who loves reading and spends a lot of time reading books.

This is a very common and natural word in everyday English.

For example, I was a bit of a bookworm when I was younger.

My sister is a real bookworm.

She always has a novel with her.

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You can also use it negatively.

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I enjoy reading but I wouldn't call myself a bookworm.

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This expression is useful because it allows you to describe your relationship with reading in a natural and personal way.

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To maintain a social life means to continue spending time with friends, family and other people despite having work, studies or other responsibilities.

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For example, university keeps me busy but I still try to maintain a social life.

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It can be difficult to maintain a social life when you are working long hours.

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This phrase is especially useful for topics related to work, study, free time and lifestyle.

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If you get absorbed in something, you become completely interested in it and lose track of time.

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For example, I got absorbed in the story and ended up reading for three hours.

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It's easy to get absorbed in a good TV series.

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You can use this expression for books, films, games, hobbies or any activity that captures your attention.

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The verb binge read means to read a large amount in a short period of time.

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It's similar to the expression binge watch.

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For example, I binge read the entire novel over the weekend.

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When I find a book I really like, I tend to binge read.

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This is a modern and natural expression that can make your speaking sound more fluent and authentic.

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To switch your brain off means to relax and stop thinking about work, studies or other responsibilities.

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For example, after a stressful day I like to switch my brain off by watching a movie.

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Reading fiction helps me switch my brain off.

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This is a useful expression for describing relaxation and leisure activities.

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A die-hard fan is someone who is extremely enthusiastic and loyal to a particular hobby, activity, team, book series or form of entertainment.

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For example, I'm a die-hard fan of science fiction films.

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My brother is a die-hard football fan.

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This expression works well in many IELTS topics, including sports, music, films, books and hobbies.

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If you're on the move, you're moving around frequently and living a busy lifestyle.

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For example, I'm always on the move during the week because of work.

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Being on the move all the time makes it difficult to relax.

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This phrase is particularly useful when explaining why you prefer convenient options such as ebooks, audiobooks or mobile apps.

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If something takes a back seat, it becomes less important than other things in your life.

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For example, reading has taken a back seat since I started university.

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My hobbies took a back seat while I was preparing for my exams.

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This is an excellent expression for discussing how your priorities or habits have changed over time.

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Downtime refers to periods when you're not working, studying or dealing with responsibilities.

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In other words, it's your free time.

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For example, I like spending my downtime watching documentaries.

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I don't get much downtime during the semester.

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This is a useful word because it sounds natural

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and can be used in many IELTS topics related to work-life balance and leisure.

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A page-turner is a book that is so exciting that you want to keep reading.

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For example, it was such a page-turner that I finished it in two days.

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I love mystery novels that are real page-turners.

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This is an excellent piece of vocabulary for describing books and reading experiences in IELTS speaking.

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A gripping novel is a book that is extremely interesting and holds your attention from beginning to end.

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The adjective gripping means exciting, engaging and difficult to stop reading.

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For example, I recently read a gripping novel that kept me up late at night.

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I prefer gripping novels because they keep me interested all the way through.

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You can also use the adjective with other forms of entertainment.

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It was a gripping film.

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The documentary was absolutely gripping.

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This is a great alternative to basic adjectives like interesting or good and can help you sound more precise when describing books, films or stories in IELTS speaking.

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And that's all for today's lesson.

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I hope you've picked up some useful vocabulary and ideas for talking about books and reading habits in IELTS speaking.

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If you'd like more practice like this, you can become a member for Extra Lessons.

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Keep practicing and I'll see you in the next one.

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Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les

Deze video bevat 153 zinnen en 1983 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 11:42. De spreker praat in een natuurlijk tempo van ongeveer 169 woorden per minuut, dicht bij een alledaags gesprek. Slechts 80% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden, dus de woordenschat is pittig.

Belangrijke woorden in deze video

15 minder gangbare woorden uit de video, met uitspraak en betekenis:

habit /ˈhæb.ɪt/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — gewoonte. An action performed on a regular basis.
grip /ˈɡɹɪp/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — greep, grip. A hold or way of holding, particularly with the hand.
topic /ˈtɑpɪk/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — onderwerp, thema. A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest.
fiction /ˈfɪkʃən/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — fictie. Literary type using invented or imaginative writing, instead of real facts, usually written as prose.
binge /bɪnd͡ʒ/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — zuippartij, binge. A short period of excessive consumption, especially of food, alcohol, narcotics, etc.
turner /ˈtɝ.nɚ/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — draaier. One who or that which turns.
hobby /ˈhɑ.bi/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — hobby, vrijetijdsbesteding. An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.
vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — woordenschat, vocabulaire. A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
absorb /æbˈsɔɹb/ (werkwoord) — absorberen, (in zich) opnemen. To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in…
mystery /ˈmɪs.t(ə.)ɹi/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — mysterie. Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
lifestyle /ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — levensstijl. A style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group.
borrow /ˈbɑɹ.oʊ/ (werkwoord) — lenen, ontlenen. To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.
lesson /ˈlɛs.ən/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — les. A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided.
documentary /ˌdɒk.jʊˈmɛn.tɹi/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — documentaire, docu. A film, TV program, publication etc. which presents a social, political, scientific or historical subject in a factual or informative manner.
phrase /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ (zelfstandig naamwoord) — uitspraak. A short written or spoken expression.

Phrasal verbs die je zult horen

pick up (werkwoord) — oppakken, optillen. To lift; to grasp and raise.
end up (werkwoord) — belanden, terechtkomen. To bring to a conclusion.
take on (werkwoord) — innemen, introduceren. To acquire, bring in, or introduce.
deal with (werkwoord) — behandelen. To handle verbally or in some form of artistic expression; to address or discuss as a subject.
sit down (werkwoord) — gaan zitten. To assume a sitting position from a standing position.
stay up (werkwoord) — opblijven. To remain awake; to not go to bed.
take over (werkwoord) — overnemen. To assume control of something, such as a business or enterprise, and sometimes by force.

Uitspraak om op te letten

De spreker gebruikt 41 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals I'd, don't, I'm. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.

De “th”-klanken: authentic /ɔˈθɛn.tɪk/, thriller /ˈθɹɪ.lə/, enthusiastic /ɪnˌθjuːzɪˈæstɪk/
De klanken “sh” en “zh”: fiction /ˈfɪkʃən/, leisure /ˈlɛʒə(ɹ)/, capture /ˈkæp.(t)ʃɚ/, occasionally /əˈkeɪʒənəli/, distraction /dɪsˈtɹæk.ʃən/
Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, documentary /ˌdɒk.jʊˈmɛn.tɹi/, priority /pɹaɪˈɒɹɪti/, occasionally /əˈkeɪʒənəli/, genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/

Zo oefen je met deze video

Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
Begin op 0,75× snelheid, spreek zin voor zin na en ga terug naar normale snelheid zodra het makkelijk gaat.
Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als habit, grip, topic.

Grammatica in deze video

De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:

Structuur	In de video
“Used to” used to + werkwoord — een vroegere gewoonte of toestand die niet meer klopt	used to enjoy · used to be · used to stay
Voorwaardelijke zinnen if + zin, will/would + werkwoord — een voorwaarde en het gevolg	if I were traveling, I'd definitely · If it's related to my studies, I'll usually
Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telt	has changed · haven't set · has taken
Betrekkelijke bijzinnen who / which + zin — extra informatie over een persoon of ding	people who enjoy · person who loves · someone who is

Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?

Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.

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Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les

Belangrijke woorden in deze video

Phrasal verbs die je zult horen

Uitspraak om op te letten

Zo oefen je met deze video

Grammatica in deze video

Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?