Shadowing Practice: CAM 20 | IELTS LISTENING TEST | TEST 4 - SECTION 4 #english #listeningpractice #ielts #education - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Welcome to ICIELTS Listening Practice, Chembird Sanctuary.
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Part 4.
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You will hear part of an environmental science lecture about the impact of birds of prey on a farming community in Africa.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
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We've been looking at different types of conflicts that may arise between wildlife and humans at the boundaries of protected areas,
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such as national parks and animal sanctuaries.
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I'd like to illustrate this by telling you about some research
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that I've been involved in recently In the Central African country
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of Zambia In the area around the Chembe Bird Sanctuary
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Which contains over 300 of the listed birds of Zambia These include a number of birds of prey Such as eagles,
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hawks and owls That live by hunting and killing other birds and animals Now,
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most of the people living in the local communities near to the bird sanctuary are small-scale farmers
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and these birds of prey provide important social and ecological benefits to them.
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For example, a lot of damage can be caused to farmers' crops by rodents, such as rats, which would consume the crops as they grow in the fields,
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as well as after harvesting if they weren't hunted and killed by the birds.
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And the predatory habits of these birds also protect farmers in other ways.
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For example, a major danger to rural workers is snakes, whose bite may be dangerous or even fatal,
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and birds of prey have a major role in keeping their populations under control.
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Local people have always been aware of these benefits, and for years, even before the sanctuary was opened in 1973,
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the birds played a key role in the culture of the region.
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However, more recently, the sanctuary and its birds have also become increasingly important to the community in economic terms Because at present,
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after a relatively slow start, tourism has become an important source of revenue for them However,
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although these birds of prey are protected by the government, their numbers are falling Some of these deaths are accidental.
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Fatalities occur when birds are light on roads to catch and eat their prey and are hit by fast-moving traffic.
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Drivers in Zambia have to take special care at night, as birds may regard the quieter roads as safe places to sleep.
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Accidental deaths may also occur if these birds fly close to high voltage power lines, as they may be electrocuted.
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This is a particular danger in the heavy rain, which can occur in the region in the months from December to April.
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And local farmers also pose a threat to these birds.
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As well as growing crops, small-scale farmers in the area also rear chickens.
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These provide food for the farmer's families, as well as being an important source of income.
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But they're also an easy target for birds of prey, and so farmers may shoot these birds, which is illegal but understandable.
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Or they may poison the birds, which again is illegal and can have negative effects on the ecosystem.
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So, how else can farmers protect their chickens from birds of prey?
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Some people believe that to prevent the predators from settling near the area where the chickens are kept, it's best to keep this area free from vegetation.
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But in fact, this is counterproductive, as it means the chickens have no cover to hide in and they'll be easier for the birds to see.
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Another possibility would be to prevent the chickens from going outside at all, and to keep them safe from predators inside a building,
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but this would cost far too much to be a practical solution.
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Nearly all the farmers reported that they spent a lot of time
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and effort trying to frighten off the birds of prey without actually harming them.
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Most of the farmers had at least one dog and said this was a big help at scaring away the predators.
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Some of the farmers also reported that during the breeding season
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When the chickens were particularly vulnerable They encouraged their children to watch over the chickens
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And to hit pans with a metal spoon So
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that the resulting noise would succeed in driving away birds
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That were trying to seize the young chicks None of these methods was 100% effective So as a result,
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the village people told us that Rather than just using one method, they were forced to use a combination for them to have any effect.
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And even so, these birds of prey remain a major threat to the chickens' survival and cause considerable economic loss to farmers.
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So, we looked at the possibility of a longer-term solution to...
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That is the end of part four.
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You now have one minute to check your answers to part 4.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will engage in English speaking practice by listening to an excerpt from an environmental science lecture. The focus of the lecture is on the interactions between birds of prey and small-scale farming communities in Zambia, particularly around the Chembe Bird Sanctuary. As you follow along, you will learn to understand real-life scenarios where wildlife impacts local economies and cultures. This session aims to enhance your listening comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency in discussing environmental issues.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Biodiversity - The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.
  • Predation - The preying of one animal on others.
  • Sanctuary - A protected area for wildlife; a safe space for animals.
  • Rodents - Small mammals that may cause crop damage and are prey to birds.
  • Human-wildlife conflict - Situations where wildlife can threaten human livelihood.
  • Electrocution - Death or serious injury caused by electric shock, often relating to power lines.
  • Ecological benefits - Advantages provided by ecosystems that enhance well-being.
  • Tourism - A significant source of revenue that can also impact conservation efforts.

Practice Tips

To make the most out of this lesson, consider using a shadowing app to practice your listening and speaking skills. Shadowing is an effective technique where you listen carefully and repeat what you hear, mimicking the speaker's tone and pace. Pay attention to the natural rhythm and speed of the lecture to develop your shadow speech capability. Here are some specific tips:

  • Start the video and listen to a short segment, pausing after each sentence. Repeat what the speaker says, trying to match their intonation and speed.
  • Since the lecture may contain complex topics, don't hesitate to rehearse challenging phrases multiple times to build your confidence.
  • Engage in shadowspeak by summarizing key points in your own words after listening to sections, reinforcing your understanding and ability to discuss these ideas.
  • If you find the pace challenging, slow down the video playback speed until you feel comfortable with the accent and vocabulary.

Incorporating these strategies into your daily practice will significantly improve your English speaking skills and fluency.

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.