Shadowing Practice: A2-B1 English Listening Podcast | Environment - Learn English Speaking with Video
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hello and welcome to this week in world news simplified for learners the podcast
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that brings you the latest global news made easy to understand i'm rob
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and i'm sarah we're here to help you stay informed about
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what's happening around the world we will explain the news in a way that's simple
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and clear so you can understand it easily that's right sarah we know
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that following the news in another language can be difficult, but don't worry.
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We're here to make it simple.
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We'll cover important events from around the world, explain key words, and make sure you're up to date.
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Our first story today is about climate change, which means changes in the world's weather.
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Climate change is a big problem for everyone because it can cause more storms, floods, and even wildfires.
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Recently, leaders from different countries met at a big meeting in Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates.
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The meeting is called COP28.
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At this meeting, leaders talked about how to stop climate change.
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They agreed that we all need to work together to use less coal, oil, and gas.
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These are called fossil fuels, and when we burn them, they make the air dirty and cause the earth to get warmer.
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That's right, Sarah.
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Instead of using fossil fuels, the leaders want us to use clean energy.
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Clean energy comes from the sun, the wind, and water.
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These don't make the air dirty, so they're better for the environment.
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Some countries are doing a good job using clean energy.
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For example, in Europe, countries like Sweden and Germany use a lot of clean energy.
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But in other countries, it's harder to use clean energy because it costs more money, or they don't have the right technology.
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Another important thing leaders talked about is protecting forests.
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Forests are very important because they take in carbon dioxide, a gas that makes the Earth warmer.
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When trees are cut down, this gas stays in the air, and that makes climate change worse.
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Cutting down trees is called deforestation.
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People cut down trees to make space for farms, mines, or to build houses.
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But this is bad for the environment, because it not only makes climate change worse, but it also destroys the homes of many animals.
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at the end of the meeting the leaders made a plan
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to keep the earth's temperature from rising too much they want
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to stop the temperature from rising more than 1 .5 degrees Celsius
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if the earth gets warmer than that there could be serious problems for everyone yes
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and everyone needs to help governments businesses and even people like you
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and me simple actions like using less electricity recycling and buying products
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that are good for the environment can make a big difference
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that's right sarah we all have a part to play in protecting our planet
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if you want to learn more about how you can help
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fight climate change there are many easy to understand resources online
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we'll add some links in the show notes now let's move
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on to our second story recently the united states held its midterm elections elections are
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when people vote to choose their leaders the midterm elections happen
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every four years in the middle of the president's time in
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office that's why they're called midterms in these elections americans voted for members of congress
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congress is the part of the government that makes laws it's very important
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because the laws affect everyone in the country this year's midterm elections were interesting
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because they showed how much support president joe biden still has president biden is part of the democratic Party, and his party has had a lot of challenges.
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For example, many people are worried about the high cost of living, immigration, and the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic.
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So what happened in the election, Rob?
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The results were mixed.
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The Democrats, President Biden's party, kept control of the Senate, which is one part of Congress.
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But they lost control of the House of Representatives, the other part of Congress, to the Republicans.
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This means President Biden will have to work harder to pass new laws
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because the two parts of congress are controlled by different parties
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one of the big issues in the election was health care
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many people in the united states want better health care
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and they voted for leaders who they think can make it better
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another important issue was the economy many americans are worried about how expensive things have become like food
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and fuel this is called inflation
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and it was a big topic in the election more people voted in this midterm election than in previous ones which shows
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that Americans care a lot about these issues right now it's
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great to see people using their right to vote voting is important
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because it's how people can say what they want and help choose their leaders For our listeners,
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following elections like this one is a good way to learn English and understand how governments work.
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We'll keep an eye on what happens next in the United States and let you know.
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If you want to learn more about how elections work, we'll add some easy resources in the show notes.
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Our next story takes us to space.
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There have been some exciting things happening in space exploration.
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Space exploration is when scientists and astronauts study and travel in space.
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one of the most exciting projects is nasa's artemis program nasa
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is the space agency in the united states the artemis program wants to send people back to the moon by 2025.
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this is a big deal
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because it's the first time people will go to the moon since the 1970s
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but the artemis program isn't just about landing on the moon nasa also wants to build a space station that will orbit, or go around, the moon.
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This space station is called the Lunar Gateway.
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It will help astronauts stay in space longer and prepare for future trips to Mars.
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That's really exciting, Sarah.
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But NASA isn't the only one working on space projects.
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China and Russia are also making big plans.
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For example, China recently finished building its own space station called Tiangong, which means Heavenly Palace in Chinese.
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Chinese astronauts called Taikonauts will live and work there.
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There are also private companies, like SpaceX, that are working on space travel.
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SpaceX is building a rocket called Starship, which will carry many people and things into space.
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The goal is to make space travel cheaper and easier so that maybe, one day, normal people can visit space, too.
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That's amazing, Sarah.
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Space tourism or traveling to space for fun could become a reality soon.
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But there are still many challenges, like making sure it's safe and affordable for everyone.
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It's also important to think about the environment.
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Rockets can be bad for the Earth because they use a lot of fuel.
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Scientists are working on ways to make space travel more eco -friendly or better for the environment.
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Space exploration is not just about going to space.
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It also helps us here on Earth.
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For example, satellites, which are machines in space, help us with things like GPS and weather forecasting, That's right, Rob.
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And for our listeners, learning about space exploration can be a fun way to improve your English and learn more about science.
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We'll keep you updated on the latest news in space.
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If you're interested in learning more, check out the links in the show notes.
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Our last story today is about the global economy.
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The economy is how money, jobs, and goods are managed in a country or the world.
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One big issue right now is inflation.
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Inflation is when the prices of things go up
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which makes it harder to buy what you need this year many countries have had high inflation this means
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that the cost of food housing
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and fuel has gone up a lot there are many reasons for this like the covet 19 pandemic
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which made it harder to get goods and the war in ukraine
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which has affected energy supplies inflation can make life difficult especially for people who don't earn a lot of money
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when prices go up people have less money to spend on
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other things they need governments are trying to control inflation by
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raising interest rates interest rates are the cost of borrowing money
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when interest rates go up people and businesses might borrow less money
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which can help slow down inflation
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but raising interest rates can also make it harder for people
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and businesses to buy things which can slow down the economy it's a tricky situation
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and governments need to be careful about how they manage it
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high inflation can also lead to problems in society like protests
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or strikes because people are unhappy about how much things cost that's why it's
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so important for governments to find the right balance for our listeners understanding inflation
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and the economy is useful especially
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if you're interested in business we'll add some simple resources in the show notes
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if you'd like to learn more and
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that brings us to the end of today's podcast we've covered a lot of ground from climate change
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and elections to space exploration
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and the economy thanks for joining us on this week in
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world news simplified for learners we'll be back next week with
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more stories from around the globe until then take care and keep learning
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “A2-B1 English Listening Podcast”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: space, election, inflation, leaders, climate. This video has 123 sentences and 1583 words to shadow. The speech runs for 9:15. The speaker talks at a natural 171 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 90% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| inflation noun | /ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən/ | An act, instance of, or state of expansion or increase in size, especially by injection of a gas or liquid. |
| midterm adjective | /ˈmɪdˌtɚm/ | Halfway through a term, or roughly so. |
| exploration noun | /ˌɛkspləˈɹeɪʃən/ | The process of exploring. |
| excite verb | /ɪkˈsaɪt/ | To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement. |
| listener noun | /ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/ | Someone who listens, especially to a speech or a broadcast. |
| astronaut noun | /ˈæstɹəˌnɔt/ | A member of the crew of a spaceship or other spacecraft that travels beyond Earth's atmosphere, or someone trained to serve that purpose. |
| learner noun | /ˈlɜɹnəɹ/ | One who is learning; one receiving instruction. |
| simplify verb | /ˈsɪmplɪfaɪ/ | To make simpler, either by reducing in complexity, reducing to component parts, or making easier to understand. |
| fossil noun | /ˈfɑsl̩/ | The mineralized remains of an animal or plant. |
| podcast noun | /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ | A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on… |
| scientist noun | /ˈsaɪəntəst/ | One whose activities make use of the scientific method to answer questions regarding the measurable universe. A scientist may be involved in original research… |
| rocket noun | /ˈɹɑk.ɪt/ | A cylindrical projectile that can be fired to a great height through combustion, (specifically) a type of firework of this form, typically exploding with light… |
| deforestation noun | /dɪˌfɒɹɪsˈteɪʃən/ | The process of destroying a forest and replacing it with something else, especially with an agricultural system. |
| recycle verb | /ɹəˈsaɪkəl/ | To break down and reuse component materials. |
| wildfire noun | /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪər/ | A rapidly spreading fire, especially one occurring in a wildland area. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| go up verb | To move upwards. |
| cut down verb | To cut downward. |
| slow down verb | To decelerate. |
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). |
| go around verb | To move or spread from person to person. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is called · are called · are cut |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has had · have become · have been |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | change, which means · Senate, which is · Tiangong, which means |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the latest · the most exciting |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 24 contractions and reduced forms, such as we'll, don't, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: inflation /ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən/, exploration /ˌɛkspləˈɹeɪʃən/, deforestation /dɪˌfɒɹɪsˈteɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: exploration /ˌɛkspləˈɹeɪʃən/, deforestation /dɪˌfɒɹɪsˈteɪʃən/, affordable /əˈfɔɹ.də.bəl/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like inflation, midterm, exploration.
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.