Shadowing Practice: 71st MISS UNIVESE - Top 5 QUESTIONS! | Miss Universe - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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We are live in New Orleans with the selection committee question round.
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Now this round determines who will continue on to the next final three.
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No pressure.
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None of the women know their questions in advance and they only have one chance to answer.
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The selection committee takes this round very seriously because Miss Universe will use her voice as a global ambassador.
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So the job requires strong communication skills.
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So, delegates, each of you will randomly draw the name of a selection committee member, and that member will ask you their question.
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You'll have 30 seconds to answer, and when your time is up, you'll hear this sound.
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Interpreters will be provided for those who need them.
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Are you ready?
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No, but we gotta do this.
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We gotta do that.
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Venezuela, you are up first.
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Please reach into the bowl and choose a selection committee member who will ask your question.
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Thank you so much.
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Your question is coming from number five, Wendy Fitzwilliam.
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Wendy, what's your question?
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Tell me about a time you felt shame and how you turned that feeling into fuel.
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Tell me about a moment in your life where you felt fear and you turned your feeling into energy.
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Good evening, New Orleans.
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Thank you for your question.
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I actually have a press conference which is called The Forbidden Dream, which talks about that forbidden dream that I had
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when I wanted to become a fashion designer
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because I felt shame about it I didn't feel it was possible for me to sustain my life
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but I pursue it and I demonstrated myself which was the most importantly
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that following our dreams our passions we are able to leave an impact stamp in every single action we take.
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Thank you so much.
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Thank you.
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USA, you are up next.
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Pick a selection committee member who will ask your question.
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USA, you're next.
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Thank you so much.
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Your question is coming from number two, Mara Martin.
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Mara, tell us your question.
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First of all, you guys all look absolutely stunning.
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Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change, allowing mothers and married women to compete this year.
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What's another change you'd like to see and why?
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For me, I would like to see an age increase, because I am 28 years old,
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and that is the oldest age to compete, and I think it's a beautiful thing.
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My favorite quote is, if not now, then when.
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Because as a woman, I believe age does not define us.
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It's not tomorrow, it's not yesterday, but it's now.
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The time is now that you can go after what you want.
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Thank you.
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Thank you so much.
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Let's have Puerto Rico come up next and choose a selection committee member.
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Puerto Rico, come on up.
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Thank you.
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All right.
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Number eight, Big Frida.
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Please let us know your question.
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If you are crowned Miss Universe, how would you represent all of this year's delicates through your reign?
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I would represent all of these year's delicates because I am a mirror of what a woman is.
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I believe in the dream and the power that we all hold to make our dreams reality.
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That is why I'm standing here today.
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I know what it's like to not believe in your dream, but I also know what it's like to find a voice.
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We are the voice of tomorrow, so let your voice echo in the chamber of time.
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Because this is the power that we have, and I will represent the woman like that.
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Thank you.
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Thank you so much.
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Next up we have Curacao.
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Curacao, please choose a selection committee member.
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Thank you.
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Your question is coming from number seven, Olivia Kido.
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What is your question?
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Hi, if you had the opportunity to speak with the leader of your country, what would you want to discuss?
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Hi, Good New Orleans.
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How are you guys doing today?
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I think there's a lot to be discussed,
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and I believe that Curacao is a multicultural country And I believe that we should embrace all different cultures and also
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Discuss the fact that I feel like sometimes people feel excluded
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and we should not discriminate or Have any type of bullying in the country.
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Thank you Thank you so much and finally And finally, Dominican Republic, reach in and pick a selection committee member.
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Thank you so much.
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Okay, your question comes from number three, Emily Austin.
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What is the most significant obstacle that women in your country face, and what should be done about it?
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I believe that the most significant obstacle that women in my country face is access to education.
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There's a number of women and children in Dominican Republic
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that cannot go to school That don't have lack of access to go to them
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and I believe that we do have to do something about it now We need to make sure
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that kids are able to be kids They were to play to educate themselves not be mothers not be wives.
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It is the moment now to take action Thank you to our top five and to our selection committee members
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Wow, I think they kind of killed it.
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Remember, the answers they just gave will determine who will move on to the top three.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you'll practice your English speaking and listening skills through segments taken from the recent Miss Universe event. The focus is on understanding interview-style questions and how to articulate thoughtful responses under time pressure. This scenario will help you gain confidence in your speaking abilities and prepare you for spontaneous conversation, a valuable skill for both everyday interactions and formal interviews. You'll engage in the shadowing technique, enabling you to enhance your English pronunciation and fluency.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Selection committee: A group of individuals tasked with reviewing candidates and making decisions.
  • Global ambassador: A representative who promotes ideals, often on a worldwide scale.
  • Shame: A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
  • Age increase: A proposal to allow older individuals to compete in events.
  • Passion: A strong enthusiasm or interest in a subject or activity.
  • Impact: The strong effect or influence something has.
  • Moment of fear: A situation that invokes anxiety or apprehension.

Practice Tips

To make the most out of your practice with this video, consider using the shadow speech technique. Here are some tips tailored to the specific pace and tone of the transcript:

  • Listen and Repeat: Play short segments of the video and repeat the phrases immediately after the speaker. This will enhance your understanding of intonation and rhythm.
  • Slow it Down: If you're struggling to keep up, use a shadowing app that allows you to control the playback speed. Slowing down the speed can help you catch nuanced expressions and improve your pronunciation accuracy.
  • Focus on Emotion: Pay attention to how the speakers express feelings, particularly when discussing personal experiences like shame or fear. Imitating this can improve your expressiveness and engagement.
  • Time Your Responses: As the contestants had only 30 seconds to respond, practice formulating your answers within a similar time frame. Use a timer to train yourself to think and respond quickly.
  • Record Yourself: Regularly record your shadow speak practice to review your pronunciation and fluency. Compare it with the original audio to identify areas for improvement.

By engaging in these practices, you will significantly improve your English pronunciation and become more adept at managing impromptu speaking situations.

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.