Shadowing Practice: B1 Preliminary (PET) Listening Test 20 with answers (new format) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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419 sentences
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1
Look at part one.
2
Now we are ready to start.
3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
4
One.
5
What did the boy's uncle buy him for Christmas?
6
Hi, James.
7
I haven't seen you since Christmas.
8
Did you get any clothes for Christmas?
9
Yes.
10
My uncle came down to stay with us, and he bought me these new shoes.
11
They look really nice.
12
Did he get you that hat as well?
13
No. My dad gave me that hat with some gloves, but my uncle did get me this expensive t-shirt.
14
They go well with those jeans of yours.
15
I need to get some new jeans.
16
I think there is a sale in the shopping centre.
17
Now listen again.
18
Hi James, I haven't seen you since Christmas.
19
Did you get any clothes for Christmas?
20
Yes, my uncle came down to stay with us and he bought me these new shoes.
21
They look really nice.
22
Did he get you that hat as well?
23
No, my dad gave me that hat with some gloves, but my uncle did get me this expensive t-shirt.
24
They go well with those jeans of yours.
25
I need to get some new jeans.
26
I think there is a sale in the shopping centre.
27
Two.
28
What job does Michelle's father do?
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Hi, Michelle.
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I haven't seen your dad for a long time.
31
How is he?
32
Is he still driving a taxi for people going to the airport?
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Actually, he's taking a break from it at the moment and is doing some hours at the local garage.
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That's what my dad used to do when he was younger.
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Didn't he become the manager of a shop in the city centre?
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That's right.
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He's the sales manager at the department store next to the post office.
38
Now listen again.
39
Hi Michelle.
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I haven't seen your dad for a long time.
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How is he?
42
Is he still driving a taxi for people going to the airport?
43
Actually, he's taking a break from it at the moment and is doing some hours at the local garage.
44
That's what my dad used to do when he was younger.
45
Didn't he become the manager of a shop in the city centre?
46
That's right.
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He's the sales manager at the department store next to the post office.
48
3. How will Steve get to school tomorrow?
49
Hi Steve.
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I heard that your sister had her first driving test yesterday, didn't she?
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That's right.
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She didn't pass, though.
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She had practised for over three months.
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It's a great shame she could have taken me to school every day, but I guess I'll have to get used to going by bus.
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Don't worry.
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We'll give you a lift tomorrow.
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We drive by your house anyway.
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If it's not too much trouble, that'll be great.
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I'm actually getting tired of the bus, and I won't have to get up very early.
60
Now listen again.
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Hi Steve, I heard that your sister had her first driving test yesterday, didn't she?
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That's right.
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She didn't pass though.
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She had practiced for over three months.
65
It's a great shame she could have taken me to school every day, but I guess I'll have to get used to going by bus.
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Don't worry, we'll give you a lift tomorrow.
67
We drive by your house anyway.
68
If it's not too much trouble, that'll be great.
69
I'm actually getting tired of the bus and I won't have to get up very early.
70
4. What will the weather be like on Saturday?
71
And now the weather for the next three days.
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Tomorrow, storms will continue across most of the country, except for the southeast, which will see some improvement in the evening.
73
On Friday, winds will drop a lot, although rain will still cover most of the country and will become less heavy by the evening.
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Overnight on Friday, all the storm clouds will disappear, bringing clear and bright skies for the weekend in most areas.
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Perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends.
76
Now listen again.
77
And now the weather for the next three days.
78
Tomorrow, storms will continue across most of the country, except for the southeast, which will see some improvement in the evening.
79
On Friday, winds will drop a lot, although rain will still cover most of the country and will become less heavy by the evening.
80
Overnight on Friday, all the storm clouds will disappear, bringing clear and bright skies for the weekend in most areas.
81
Perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends.
82
5. Who robbed the bank?
83
Police were called to a bank in the centre of town when a man stole a lot of money.
84
Customers in the bank said that he had a gun and pointed it at the bank staff.
85
He told them to put the money in his bag.
86
He managed to get away with over £200,000.
87
He is described as being white, six foot tall, with black hair, glasses and a beard.
88
Anyone who might have any information should contact the police immediately.
89
He is very dangerous and shouldn't be approached.
90
Now listen again.
91
Police were called to a bank in the center of town when a man stole a lot of money.
92
Customers in the bank said that he had a gun and pointed it at the bank staff.
93
He told them to put the money in his bag.
94
He managed to get away with over £200,000.
95
He is described as being white, six foot tall, with black hair, glasses and a beard.
96
Anyone who might have any information should contact the police immediately.
97
He is very dangerous and shouldn't be approached.
98
6. What will the woman do last?
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John, where are you going?
100
Don't forget you promised to cook dinner for us today.
101
Me?
102
I never promised to do that.
103
You must have imagined it.
104
Yes, you did.
105
You said you would cook dinner after we had breakfast with the kids this morning, but before that you can all help me in the garden.
106
Shall I wash up first?
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No, I'll take care of the dishes when we've eaten.
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Okay then, let's get started outside.
109
The grass needs cutting.
110
now listen again john where are you going don't forget you
111
promised to cook dinner for us today me i never promised to do
112
that you must have imagined it yes you did you said
113
you would cook dinner after we had breakfast with the kids this morning, but before that you can all help me in the garden.
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Shall I wash up first?
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No, I'll take care of the dishes when we've eaten.
116
Okay then, let's get started outside.
117
The grass needs cutting.
118
7. What does the man want to do at the weekend?
119
Look at this advert for outdoor activities at the weekend.
120
The climbing looks very interesting.
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Dad, I don't think anyone in this family is in shape for such an activity.
122
Why don't we go sail along the coast instead?
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It'll be warmer there.
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But we've done that before.
125
I would like us to try something else.
126
So what else do you suggest?
127
Oh, I know.
128
There's a beginner's course every Saturday at the Mountain Ski School.
129
I will give them a call to book three places for us on the course.
130
Now listen again.
131
Look at this advert for outdoor activities at the weekend.
132
The climbing looks very interesting.
133
Dad, I don't think anyone in this family is in shape for such an activity.
134
Why don't we go sail along the coast instead?
135
It'll be warmer there.
136
But we've done that before.
137
I would like us to try something else.
138
So what else do you suggest?
139
Oh, I know.
140
There's a beginner's course every Saturday at the Mountain Ski School.
141
I will give them a call to book three places for us on the course.
142
That is the end of part one.
143
Turn to part two.
144
Questions eight to thirteen.
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For each question, choose the correct answer.
146
Eight.
147
You will hear a girl talking about her illness.
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Hey, why haven't you been at school for the past week?
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I've been in bed with the flu.
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It was awful.
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I must have caught it at school, so be careful and wash your hands a lot.
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Lots of kids have it.
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I had such a high temperature and bad cough that my mum wanted to take me to hospital.
154
But the doctor advised her not to as I might catch something else in hospital.
155
Poor you.
156
Tell me when you're feeling better and I'll come and see you.
157
Shall I bring you homework?
158
No, thanks.
159
Now listen again.
160
Hey, why haven't you been at school for the past week?
161
I've been in bed with the flu.
162
It was awful.
163
I must have caught it at school, so be careful and wash your hands a lot.
164
Lots of kids have it.
165
I had such a high temperature and bad cough that my mum wanted to take me to hospital.
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But the doctor advised her not to, as I might catch something else in hospital.
167
Poor you.
168
Tell me when you're feeling better and I'll come and see you.
169
Shall I bring you homework?
170
No, thanks.
171
Nine.
172
You will hear two friends discussing a band.
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Have you heard this band's latest album?
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Their new stuff is great.
175
Yes, actually I saw them live in concert last year.
176
I have to admit I was disappointed though.
177
They played only their new songs but their older stuff is much nicer and the tickets were very expensive.
178
Yeah, I heard they were.
179
But you know, they give most of the money to charity, which is really generous.
180
Most bands just want to get rich quick, so I think that we shouldn't really complain.
181
Yeah, looking at it like that, I guess you're right.
182
Now listen again.
183
Have you heard this band's latest album?
184
Their new stuff is great.
185
Yes, actually I saw them live in concert last year.
186
I have to admit I was disappointed though.
187
They played only their new songs but their older stuff is much nicer and the tickets were very expensive.
188
Yeah, I heard they were.
189
But you know, they give most of the money to charity, which is really generous.
190
Most bands just want to get rich quick, so I think that we shouldn't really complain.
191
Yeah, looking at it like that, I guess you're right.
192
10. You hear a boy telling his friend about a movie he saw.
193
Did you go and see that new documentary movie last night?
194
Yeah, it was really powerful.
195
It's all about the terrible way we use animals.
196
Did you know that animal farming is causing most of the damage to the environment?
197
I thought it was because we use cars too much.
198
It certainly made me think.
199
Really?
200
But we can't do much about that.
201
We need to use animals and cars.
202
Actually, we don't need to use animals at all.
203
We can eat other things and be healthy.
204
The message I got was that things are changing for the better.
205
Now listen again.
206
Did you go and see that new documentary movie last night?
207
Yeah, it was really powerful.
208
It's all about the terrible way we use animals.
209
Did you know that animal farming is causing most of the damage to the environment?
210
I thought it was because we use cars too much.
211
It certainly made me think.
212
Really?
213
But we can't do much about that.
214
We need to use animals and cars.
215
Actually, we don't need to use animals at all.
216
We can eat other things and be healthy.
217
The message I got was that things are changing for the better.
218
11. You hear two friends talking about a new teacher.
219
Have you had the new math teacher yet?
220
Yeah, I had him today.
221
He's really good.
222
The class was really quiet because he made the lesson so interesting.
223
And you know me, I hate maths.
224
Yes, he's good, but I found him a bit frightening.
225
Like the physics teacher.
226
I forgot my calculator and he refused to let me get in from my classroom.
227
I had to work everything out without it.
228
It took me ages.
229
And he kept another girl's smartphone because she was sending a text message during the lesson.
230
Hmm, you'll be more careful next time.
231
Now listen again.
232
Have you had the new math teacher yet?
233
Yeah, I had him today.
234
He's really good.
235
The class was really quiet because he made the lesson so interesting.
236
And you know me, I hate maths.
237
Yes, he's good, but I found him a bit frightening.
238
Like the physics teacher.
239
I forgot my calculator and he refused to let me get in from my classroom.
240
I had to work everything out without it.
241
It took me ages.
242
And he kept another girl's smartphone because she was sending a text message during the lesson.
243
Hmm, you'll be more careful next time.
244
Twelve.
245
You will hear two friends talking about language learning.
246
I've decided to learn Spanish after the summer.
247
It's great being able to communicate with people abroad.
248
Ah, I guess your holiday in Spain started this.
249
But there's no need to because they all speak English in the hotels.
250
And almost all the young people know English nowadays.
251
Anyway, Spanish is such a difficult language.
252
The pronunciation is hard, but if you don't speak anything but English, you can't travel away from the tourist centres or learn about another culture.
253
I think everybody should try and speak another language.
254
You go ahead, but I'll just stick with English.
255
Now listen again I've decided to learn Spanish after the summer It's great being able to communicate with people abroad Ah,
256
I guess your holiday in Spain started this But there's no need to
257
because they all speak English in the hotels And almost all the young people know English nowadays Anyway,
258
Spanish is such a difficult language The pronunciation is hard, but if you don't speak anything but English,
259
you can't travel away from the tourist centres or learn about another culture.
260
I think everybody should try and speak another language.
261
You go ahead, but I'll just stick with English.
262
13. You hear two friends talking about their plans.
263
So, where shall we go?
264
I like to do a bit of sightseeing.
265
Hmm, it's too hot for that.
266
Besides, it will be full of other school groups.
267
Why don't we go on that river cruise we saw advertised?
268
It's a sightseeing tour, but it may be a bit cooler.
269
That would be great, but I saw they don't do them at weekends in the mornings.
270
I guess we could all go to the beach for a few hours and go on that later, after lunch.
271
OK, but how can you think of food in this weather?
272
Now listen again.
273
So, where shall we go?
274
I like to do a bit of sightseeing.
275
Hmm, it's too hot for that.
276
Besides, it will be full of other school groups.
277
Why don't we go on that river cruise we saw advertised?
278
It's a sightseeing tour, but it may be a bit cooler.
279
That would be great, but I saw they don't do them at weekends in the mornings.
280
I guess we could all go to the beach for a few hours and go on that later after lunch.
281
OK, but how can you think of food in this weather?
282
That is the end of part two.
283
Now turn to part three.
284
Questions 14 to 19.
285
For each question, write the correct answer in the gap.
286
Write one or two words or a number or a date or a time.
287
You have 20 seconds to look at part 3.
288
You will hear an announcement at a fitness center.
289
Good morning everyone.
290
Welcome to Fitness Week at our special health center.
291
I can promise you three things if you sign up for this course.
292
Firstly, you will become healthier.
293
Number two, you will learn lots of new exercise techniques.
294
And number three, you will work very hard.
295
Our gyms and swimming pools are all new and fully equipped fully equipped, so all you need to take with you is a good pair of trainers, a tracksuit, shorts and t-shirts for the gym.
296
Don't forget also to take a swimming costume.
297
We start on a Sunday and the first day is an introduction.
298
Each person will be weighed and fill in a quick health questionnaire.
299
Then we will work out a plan with specific targets for each person based on their individual needs.
300
For the rest of the week, we will have morning exercise sessions in the gym where a
301
personal trainer will ensure you are exercising correctly after a healthy
302
snack the afternoon will consist of exercises in the pool
303
and then relaxation in the spa on the last day you will all be individually weighed
304
and assessed to determine how much progress you have made then there will be a talk about fitness strategies
305
and how you can maintain your progress in everyday life book your place in the next two days
306
and you will get a 25% discount.
307
You will pay only £15 a day, which works out at £100.
308
No, I'm sorry, that's £105 for the whole week.
309
Now listen again.
310
Good morning everyone.
311
Welcome to Fitness Week at our special health centre.
312
I can promise you three things if you sign up for this course.
313
Firstly, you will become healthier.
314
Number 2.
315
You will learn lots of new exercise techniques And number 3.
316
You will work very hard
317
Our gyms and swimming pools are all new and fully equipped
318
So all you need to take with you is a good pair of trainers, a tracksuit, shorts and t-shirts for the gym
319
Don't forget also to take a swimming costume We start on a Sunday
320
and the first day is an introduction Each person will be weighed and fill in a quick health questionnaire air.
321
Then we will work out a plan with specific targets for each person based on their individual needs.
322
For the rest of the week, we will have morning exercise sessions in the gym, where a personal trainer will ensure you are exercising correctly.
323
After a healthy snack, the afternoon will consist of exercises in the pool and then relaxation in the spa.
324
On the last day, you will all be individually weighed and assessed to determine how much progress you have made.
325
Then there will be a talk about fitness strategies and how you can maintain your progress in everyday life.
326
Book your place in the next two days and you will get a 25% discount.
327
You will pay only £15 a day, which works out at £100.
328
No, I'm sorry, that's £105 for the whole week.
329
That is the end of part three.
330
We'll turn to part four.
331
Questions 20 to 25.
332
For each question, choose the correct answer.
333
You have 45 seconds to look at the questions for part four.
334
Thank you.
335
You will hear a radio interview with an athlete called George.
336
George, welcome to the show.
337
You've had a fantastic few years, haven't you?
338
With both gold and silver medals in international events.
339
Yes, I'm really pleased with the way things have gone lately.
340
Did you first develop a passion for athletics as a young child?
341
I was very active as a little child
342
and I think my parents were looking for a way to use some of my energy.
343
But it wasn't until secondary school that I was introduced to athletics.
344
And then I got a scholarship to university because I had done so well in the school athletics team.
345
I guess I was really passionate about athletics from about 13 years old.
346
So was it your school teachers that made you believe that you could have a career in sport?
347
Not really.
348
I had some great teachers at school and, of course, now I have some of the best coaches in the world.
349
But it's always been my father that has supported me and told me that I can achieve anything I want to do.
350
He's my best friend as well as being my father.
351
Tell us about the moment you won your first gold medal.
352
You must have been so excited.
353
The funny thing was that I was lost in my own world during that race.
354
Do you mean you were too tired to feel anything?
355
No, not at all.
356
I was concentrating so much on finishing the race that I hadn't realised I was the winner.
357
I couldn't believe it when I looked up and there was no one ahead of me.
358
But there must be some things that aren't so good.
359
Oh, of course.
360
I mean, I have to train all the time, which generally I enjoy, and I get to travel to some amazing places.
361
But I have a baby son now, and I really miss him when I'm away.
362
It's difficult for my wife, too.
363
On the other hand, I have a lot of fun too and wherever I go, there are interesting people who I often become good friends with.
364
Do you mind all the publicity and the reporters everywhere wanting to interview you?
365
Not at all.
366
It's all part of the job.
367
Finally, George, are you going to retire soon and become a full-time dad
368
or maybe become a TV presenter for a sports channel?
369
No, not for a long time.
370
I'd like to give something back.
371
I've had so much help from other people, and I would really like to help young people get involved in athletics
372
and teach them everything I have learned over the years.
373
I'm especially interested in working in schools in poor areas, as quite often that's where the athletes of the future can be found.
374
Just like me when I was young.
375
George, thank you very much.
376
My pleasure.
377
now listen again
378
George welcome to the show you've had a fantastic few years haven't you with both gold
379
and silver medals in international events
380
yes I'm really pleased with the way things have gone lately
381
did you first develop a passion for athletics as a young child
382
I was very active as a little child
383
and I think my parents were looking for a way to use some of my energy.
384
But it wasn't until secondary school that I was introduced to athletics.
385
And then I got a scholarship to university because I had done so well in the school athletics team.
386
I guess I was really passionate about athletics from about 13 years old.
387
So was it your school teachers that made you believe that you could have a career in sport?
388
Not really.
389
I had some great teachers at school and, of course, now I have some of the best coaches in the world.
390
But it's always been my father that has supported me and told me that I can achieve anything I want to do.
391
He's my best friend as well as being my father.
392
Tell us about the moment you won your first gold medal.
393
You must have been so excited.
394
The funny thing was that I was lost in my own world during that race.
395
Do you mean you were too tired to feel anything?
396
No, not at all.
397
I was concentrating so much on finishing the race that I hadn't realised I was the winner.
398
I couldn't believe it when I looked up and there was no one ahead of me.
399
But there must be some things that aren't so good.
400
Oh, of course.
401
I mean, I have to train all the time, which generally I enjoy, and I get to travel to some amazing places.
402
But I have a baby son now, and I really miss him when I'm away.
403
It's difficult for my wife, too.
404
On the other hand, I have a lot of fun, too, and wherever I go, there are interesting people who I often become good friends with.
405
Do you mind all the publicity and the reporters everywhere wanting to interview you?
406
Not at all.
407
It's all part of the job.
408
Finally, George, are you going to retire soon and become a full-time dad
409
or maybe become a TV presenter for a sports channel?
410
No, not for a long time.
411
I'd like to give something back.
412
I've had so much help from other people and I would really like to help young people get involved in athletics
413
and teach them everything I have learned over the years.
414
I'm especially interested in working in schools, in poor areas, as quite often that's where the athletes of the future can be found.
415
Just like me when I was young.
416
George, thank you very much.
417
My pleasure.
418
That is the end of part four.
419
That is the end of the test.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “B1 Preliminary (PET) Listening Test 20 with answers”. This video has 419 sentences and 4132 words to shadow. The speech runs for 29:23. The speaker talks at a steady 141 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 86% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| athletic adjective | /æθˈlɛt.ɪk/ | Having to do with athletes. |
| sightseeing noun | The activity of going out looking at things; tourism. | |
| weigh verb | /weɪ/ | To determine the weight of an object. |
| trainer noun | /ˈtɹeɪnɚ/ | A person who trains another; a coach. |
| jeans noun | /d͡ʒiːnz/ | A pair of trousers made from denim cotton. |
| mathematics noun | /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/ | An abstract representational system studying numbers, shapes, structures, quantitative change and relationships between them. |
| swim verb | /swɪm/ | To move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means. |
| outdoor adjective | /aʊtˈdɔː/ | Situated in, designed to be used in, or carried on in the open air. |
| equip verb | /ɪˈkwɪp/ | To supply with something necessary in order to carry out a specific action or task; to provide with (e.g. weapons, provisions, munitions, rigging). |
| athlete noun | /ˈæθ.liːt/ | A participant in any of a group of sporting activities including track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking. |
| advert verb | /ædvˈɝt/ | To take notice, to pay attention (to). |
| frighten verb | /ˈfɹaɪ.tən/ | To cause to feel fear; to scare; to cause to feel alarm or fright. |
| questionnaire noun | /ˌk(w)ɛstʃəˈnɛə/ | A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering information for a survey. |
| tracksuit noun | /ˈtɹækˌsut/ | A garment, usually consisting of a top and trousers (commonly known as tracksuit bottoms) worn as an outer layer by participants in sporting events such as… |
| pronunciation noun | /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ | The formal or informal way in which a word is made to sound when spoken. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| come down to verb | To reach by moving down or reducing. | |
| get away with verb | To get away, or escape, taking (something) with one. | |
| get up verb | To move in an upward direction; to ascend or climb. | |
| go ahead verb | /ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/ | To proceed with; to begin. |
| look up verb | /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ | To have better prospects. |
| wash up verb | To clean the utensils, dishes etc. used in preparing and eating a meal. | |
| work out verb | /ˌwɝk ˈaʊt/ | To calculate. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Did he get you that hat as well?
- John, where are you going?
- Why don't we go sail along the coast instead?
- Have you heard this band's latest album?
- You've had a fantastic few years, haven't you?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | If it's not too much trouble, that'll be |
| “Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true | used to do |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't seen · we've eaten · we've done |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | were called · is described · be approached |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 95 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'm, haven't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: athletic /æθˈlɛt.ɪk/, mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/, athlete /ˈæθ.liːt/, southeast /sawˈθɪjst/, thirteen /ˌθɝtˈtin/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, relaxation /rᵻˌlækˈseɪ.ʃən/, passionate /ˈpæʃənɪt/, scholarship /ˈskɑːləɹʃɪp/, dish /dɪʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: mathematics /mæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪks/, pronunciation /pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, calculator /kæl.kjə.leɪ.tɚ/, individually /ˌɪndɪˈvɪd͡ʒ(u)əli/, publicity /pʌbˈlɪsɪti/
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 athletic, sightseeing, weigh.
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.