Shadowing Practice: 3 Things That Make You Happy | Three To Talk – English Listening Practice | Beginners - Learn English Speaking with Video
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3 to Talk.
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Hello everyone and welcome to 3 to Talk,
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where we pick one simple topic and hear different people share their own stories, ideas, and experiences.
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Today we're talking about something very simple but very important.
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Three things that make you happy.
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What brings you joy in your normal, everyday life, we've got some guests here today to share their lists.
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Let's get into it.
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Okay, Leo, you're up first.
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When I say three things that make you happy, what comes to your mind?
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That's a good question, Anna.
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I like very simple things.
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For me, my three things all happen early in the morning, usually before 7am.
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Wow, you're an early bird.
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I'm still asleep at 7 a.m.
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I know, I know, but it's the best time of day.
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So, thing number one is the smell of fresh coffee.
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I'm always the first person awake in my house.
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The house is completely dark and quiet.
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I walk into the kitchen, and I turn on the coffee maker.
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Just hearing the machine and smelling the coffee makes me smile.
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I totally agree.
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Sometimes coffee smells much better than it actually tastes.
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Yes, exactly.
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Then thing number two happens.
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My big dog Max walks into the kitchen.
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He's a golden retriever and he's very sleepy in the morning.
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He walks over to me and just sits right on my feet.
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Wait, hold on.
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Right on your feet?
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He doesn't just sit next to you?
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No, right on top of my feet.
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He's a very big dog.
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So he's really heavy, but he's also very warm It's the best feeling in the world
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So I have my fresh coffee in my hand
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and I have my heavy sleepy dog keeping my feet warm That sounds so incredibly peaceful.
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I can picture it perfectly So what is the third thing on your list?
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The third thing is watching the sky change colors My kitchen has a big window.
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It looks out at my garden.
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I stand there, drink my coffee, pet my dog, and I watch the sun come up.
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The sky turns dark blue, then pink, and then bright yellow.
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It's just beautiful.
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That really is a perfect morning routine, Leo.
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Do you get to do this every single day?
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Almost every day.
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Sometimes I wake up late and have to rush, but when I get my quiet morning, I just know I'm going to have a great day.
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Let's look at three useful phrases from Leo's story.
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Number one is, one thing that makes me happy is...
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We use this phrase when we want to talk about one thing that makes us happy.
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For example, one thing that makes me happy is drinking coffee in the morning.
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One thing that makes me happy is spending time with my dog.
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Number two is, it makes me smile.
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We use this phrase when something makes us feel happy.
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For example, my dog always makes me smile.
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Getting a nice message from a friend makes me smile.
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Number three is, the best thing about is.
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we use this phrase when we want to talk about the thing we like most about something.
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For example, The best thing about weekends is having more free time.
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The best thing about my morning is drinking coffee in peace.
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So try to remember these three phrases.
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One thing that makes me happy is It makes me smile.
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And The best thing about is Okay, Maya.
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Leo loves the morning.
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Are your three things about the morning, too?
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No way, Anna.
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I'm not a morning person at all.
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My three things are all lucky surprises, things that happen by accident.
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Oh, I love surprises.
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What's number one?
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Number one is putting on a winter coat for the first time in a year, putting my hand in the pocket, and finding a $20 bill.
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Oh, that's the best.
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It feels like free money.
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Right?
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You forgot about it, so it's a gift from your past self.
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Okay, thing number two is also a lucky feeling.
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It's when you're driving home from work and you hit every single green traffic light.
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Wait, does that actually happen to you?
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Because I only ever get red lights when I'm in a hurry.
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It happens maybe once a year.
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But when it happens, I feel like a superhero.
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I just drive all the way home without stopping.
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It's so smooth and satisfying.
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It instantly puts me in a good mood.
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I'm very jealous.
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Okay, so finding money and getting green lights.
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What's your third happy thing?
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The third thing is getting a random text message from a friend I haven't talked to in a long time.
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Just a simple message saying, Hey, I saw this and thought of you.
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That's so sweet.
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It shows they really care about you.
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Exactly.
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It means that even though we are busy, and even though we haven't spoken in months, I'm still in their head.
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It makes me feel really loved.
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I love that list, Maya.
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Which of those three things is your absolute favorite?
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Probably the text message.
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Money's nice, but knowing a friend misses you is the best feeling.
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Let's look at three useful phrases from Maya's story.
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Number one is, the best thing is.
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We use this phrase when we want to talk about our favorite thing or the thing we like most.
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For example, the best thing is having coffee with my family.
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The best thing about weekends is sleeping late.
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Number two is it makes me feel.
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We use this phrase to talk about how something makes us feel.
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For example, getting a message from my friend makes me feel happy.
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Spending time with my family makes me feel relaxed.
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Number three is, it puts me in a good mood.
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We use this phrase when something makes us feel happy or positive.
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For example, listening to music puts me in a good mood.
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Going for a walk in the morning puts me in a good mood.
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So, try to remember these three phrases.
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The best thing is, it makes me feel, and it puts me in a good mood.
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Maya loves lucky surprises.
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Sam, what about you?
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What three things make you happy?
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My things are all about the senses, Anna.
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Things I can feel, smell, and taste.
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Ooh, interesting.
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Let's start with feeling.
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What is the first thing?
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The first thing is getting into bed when the sheets are completely fresh and clean.
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You know, right after you wash them and dry them.
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Oh, yes.
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That's a wonderful feeling.
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They are so crisp and cool.
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Exactly.
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I always take a warm shower, put on clean pajamas, and then jump into that clean bed.
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It's pure happiness.
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I fall asleep so fast on those nights.
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Me too.
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Okay, what about smell?
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What is your second thing?
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My second thing is the smell of rain, but specifically rain in the summer, when it's very hot outside and then suddenly a big rainstorm starts.
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Wait, I know that smell.
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There's actually a special word for it, right?
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Yes, I think it's called petrichor.
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The rain hits the hot, dry road and it makes this dusty, fresh smell.
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I always open my windows when a summer storm starts.
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I just sit by the window and breathe it in.
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It feels like the whole world is taking a bath and cooling down.
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So, we have clean sheets and summer rain.
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What is the third thing?
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Taste?
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Yes, taste.
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The third thing is eating a really, really good sandwich when you're extremely hungry.
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Not a fancy meal.
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Just a perfect, big sandwich.
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I completely understand.
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Like after a long hike or a hard day at work?
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Exactly.
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You take that first bite and it has fresh bread, good meat, crisp lettuce.
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It's just the most satisfying food in the world.
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Nothing fancy, just perfect.
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You're making me hungry, Sam.
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So, your happy things are very physical.
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Do you do these things often?
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I try to.
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I wash my sheets every Sunday, just so I can have that happy feeling at the end of the week.
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Let's look at three useful phrases from Sam's story.
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Number one is, one of my favorite parts of the day is...
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We use this phrase when we want to talk about a part of our day that we really enjoy.
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For example, one of my favorite parts of the day is having breakfast with my family.
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One of my favorite parts of the day is relaxing in bed at night.
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Number two is, I love it when.
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We use this phrase when we talk about a situation or a moment that we really enjoy.
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For example, I love it when I get into a clean bed.
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I love it when my favorite song comes on.
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Number three is, it's such a feeling.
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We use this phrase to describe a strong feeling.
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For example, It's such a relaxing feeling.
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It's such a happy feeling when I see my family.
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So, try to remember these three phrases.
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One of my favorite parts of the day is, I love it when...
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and It's such a.. feeling.
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Okay, Chloe.
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Sam loves physical things like clean sheets and a good sandwich.
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What are your three happy things?
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Well, my list is a little bit more about quiet time.
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I'm a very introverted person, Anna, so my happy things are very calm.
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That sounds nice.
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We all need some calm.
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What's number one?
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Number one is going to a stationery store and buying a brand new pen and a blank notebook.
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Really?
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Just buying a pen makes you happy?
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Oh, absolutely.
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I love the smell of the new paper.
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I love testing all the pens to find the one that writes the best.
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When I buy a new notebook, I feel like my whole life is organized and perfect. That makes sense.
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It feels like a fresh start.
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Yes, exactly.
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Okay, thing number two is going to sound a little mean, but it's true.
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My second happy thing is when someone cancels plans with me.
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Wait, hold on.
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You like it when people cancel on you?
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Don't you get sad?
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No, I love it.
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Listen, I like my friends.
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But sometimes I make plans for a Friday night, and then when Friday comes, I'm so tired.
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I just want to stay home in my pajamas.
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Ah, I know that feeling.
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You don't want to go out, but you don't want to be the bad friend who cancels.
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Exactly.
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So, when they send a text saying, Hey, I'm so sorry.
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Can we stay home tonight?
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I am so happy.
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It feels like I just won a prize.
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I put on my comfy clothes and turn on the TV.
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That's so funny and very honest.
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So, what is your third quiet, happy thing?
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The third thing is reading the very last page of a really good book.
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When the story is amazing and you finally see how it ends, you just close the book, take a deep breath, and hold it to your chest.
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Oh yes, it's a mix of happy and a little sad because the story is over.
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Which of these three is your favorite?
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Definitely the canceled plans.
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There's nothing better than a free night at home.
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Let's look at three useful phrases from Chloe's story.
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Number one is, one of my favorite things is, we use this phrase when we want to talk about something we really like.
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For example, one of my favorite things is drinking coffee with my friends.
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One of my favorite things is having a quiet morning at home.
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Number two is, I feel happiest when...
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We use this phrase when we want to talk about a situation or moment when we feel very happy.
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For example, I feel happiest when I have some quiet time alone.
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I feel happiest when I can stay home on the weekend.
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Number three is, there's nothing better than...
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We use this phrase when we want to say that something makes us very happy.
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For example, there's nothing better than a good meal after a long day.
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There's nothing better than staying home on a rainy day.
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So, try to remember these three phrases.
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One of my favorite things is, I feel happiest when...
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and there's nothing better than...
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Okay, David, you are our last guest today.
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Chloe loves canceled plans and new notebooks.
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What are the three things that make you happy?
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Anna, my list is very random, but these three things always, always make me smile.
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I love random things.
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Let's hear number one.
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Number one is making someone laugh, but not just a little laugh.
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I mean, a really loud, ugly laugh.
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When they laugh so hard, they can't breathe.
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Oh, that's a great feeling when you know you are the reason they are so happy.
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Yes, especially if it's someone who is having a bad day.
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If I can make them laugh until they cry, I feel so proud of myself.
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It's the best energy in the room.
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That is a wonderful thing, David.
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What is number two?
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Number two is very different.
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It's the smell of garlic and onions cooking in a pan with some olive oil.
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Wait, no way.
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I was just talking about this yesterday.
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Are you serious?
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It's the best smell.
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Whenever I start cooking, the first thing I do is chop garlic and onions and put them in the warm oil.
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Before I even make the real food, the whole house smells amazing.
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It really does.
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It smells like home.
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It smells like a warm dinner is coming.
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Exactly.
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My family always walks into the kitchen and says, Wow, what are you making?
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And I say, nothing yet, just the garlic.
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So that's number two.
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Okay, making people laugh and frying garlic.
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What is the final thing on your happy list?
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The third thing is coming home after a really long, hard day of work, sitting down on the couch and taking off my shoes.
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Simple, but classic.
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It really is, especially if you wear tight shoes for 10 hours.
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When you finally pull them off, your feet can breathe again.
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It's the moment when you know the workday is officially over.
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You are home.
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You are free.
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That is the perfect way to end the day, David.
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Is taking your shoes off the first thing you do when you get home?
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Usually, yes.
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I don't even say hello to my family yet.
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I just take off the shoes first.
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Let's look at three useful phrases from David's story.
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Number one is, it makes me happy when...
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We use this phrase when we want to talk about something that makes us feel happy.
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For example, it makes me happy when I spend time with my family.
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It makes me happy when my friends call me.
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Number two is, it always makes my day.
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We use this phrase when something makes a normal day feel better or happier.
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For example, getting a nice message from a friend always makes my day.
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A good cup of coffee in the morning always makes my day.
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Number three is, it's a great feeling when...
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We use this phrase when we want to describe a moment that feels especially good.
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For example, it's a great feeling when you finally get home after a long day.
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It's a great feeling when you make someone laugh.
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But try to remember these three phrases.
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It makes me happy when...
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It always makes my day. And...
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It's a great feeling when...
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Well, those were some great lists.
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I think the one thing all my guests shared today is that happiness doesn't have to be big or expensive.
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It's in the small moments.
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Leo has his quiet coffee.
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Maya loves those lucky green lights.
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Sam enjoys his fresh bed sheets.
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Chloe celebrates her canceled plans.
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And David loves the smell of cooking garlic.
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So, listeners, now it's your turn.
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What are your three things?
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Take a moment to think about them today and share your answers with us in the comments.
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Thank you for hanging out with us, and I'll see you all next time on 3 to Talk.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “3 Things That Make You Happy”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: phrase, feeling, example, smell, coffee. This video has 303 sentences and 2708 words to shadow. The speech runs for 19:18. The speaker talks at a steady 140 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| phrase noun | /ˈfɹeɪ̯z/ | A short written or spoken expression. |
| cancel verb | /ˈkæn.sl̩/ | To cross out something with lines etc. |
| mood noun | /muːd/ | A mental or emotional state, composure. |
| sheet noun | /ʃit/ | A thin bed cloth used as a covering for a mattress or as a layer over the sleeper. |
| garlic noun | /ˈɡɑɹlɪk/ | A plant, Allium sativum, related to the onion, having a pungent bulb much used in cooking. |
| breathe verb | /bɹiːð/ | To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases. |
| shoe noun | /ˈʃu/ | A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of… |
| relax verb | /ɹɪˈlæks/ | To make something loose. |
| sandwich noun | /ˈsæn(d).wɪd͡ʒ/ | A dish or foodstuff where at least one piece, but typically two or more pieces, of bread serves as the wrapper or container of some other food. |
| notebook noun | /ˈnoʊtˌbʊk/ | A book (physical or digital) in which notes or memoranda are written. |
| meal noun | /ˈmiːl/ | Food that is prepared and eaten, usually at a specific time, and usually in a comparatively large quantity. |
| hungry adjective | /ˈhʌŋ.ɡɹi/ | Affected by hunger; having the physical need for food. |
| happiness noun | /ˈhæpinɪs/ | The emotion of being happy; joy; elation. |
| asleep adjective | /əˈsliːp/ | In a state of sleep; also, broadly, resting. |
| fancy noun | /ˈfæn.si/ | The imagination. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| take off verb | To remove. | |
| come up verb | To emerge or become known, especially unexpectedly. | |
| cool down verb | /kuːl ˈdaʊn/ | To become cooler; to be reduced in temperature. |
| go out verb | To leave, especially a building. | |
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- He doesn't just sit next to you?
- Do you get to do this every single day?
- Are your three things about the morning, too?
- Wait, does that actually happen to you?
- What's your third happy thing?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't talked · haven't spoken |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | friend who cancels · someone who is |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the best · the most satisfying |
| Comparatives -er than / more … than — comparing two things | better than |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 27 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: breathe /bɹiːð/, bath /bɑːθ/, smooth /smuːð/, cloth /klɒθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: sheet /ʃit/, shoe /ˈʃu/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, stationary /ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/
- Long words — get the stress right: incredibly /ɪŋˈkɹɛdɪbli/, superhero /ˈs(j)upɚhɪɹoʊ/, stationary /ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/, introverted /ˈɪn.tɹəˌvɜːɹ.təd/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like phrase, cancel, mood.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.