Shadowing Practice: Cambridge 18, Test 4, Part 1 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Test 4.
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This is the IELTS Listening Test.
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You will hear a number of different recordings and you will have to answer questions on what you hear.
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There will be time for you to read the instructions and questions and you will have a chance to check your work.
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All the recordings will be played once only.
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The test is in four parts.
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At the end of the test, you will be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
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Now turn to part one.
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Part 1.
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You will hear a man who works at an employment agency phoning a woman who is looking for a job.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.
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Hello!
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Oh hello, is that Julie Davison?
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Yes.
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This is Greg Preston from the Employment Agency.
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We met last week when you came in to inquire about office work.
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Oh, that's right.
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Now, we've just had some details come in of a job which might interest you.
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OK.
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So this is a position for a receptionist.
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I believe you've done that sort of work before?
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Yes, I have.
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I worked in a sports centre for a couple of years before I got married and had the children.
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Right.
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Well, this job's in Fordham.
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So not too far away for you, and it's at the medical centre there.
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Okay.
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So where exactly is that?
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It's quite near the station on Chaston's Road.
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Sorry?
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Chaston's Road.
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That's C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H
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-C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C -H -C - A...
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S. T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T
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-O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O -T -O N S.
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OK, thanks.
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So what would the work involve?
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Dealing with inquiries from patients?
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Yes.
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And you'd also be involved in making appointments, whether face to face or on the phone and rescheduling them if necessary.
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Fine, that shouldn't be a problem.
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And another of your duties would be keeping the centre's database up to date.
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Then you might have other general administrative duties as well.
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But those would be the main ones.
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Okay.
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Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.
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Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.
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Now, when the details came in, I immediately thought of you because one thing they do require is someone with experience.
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And you did mention your work at the Sports Centre when you came in to see us.
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Yes, in fact I enjoyed that job.
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Is there anything else they're looking for?
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Well, they say it's quite a high -pressure environment, They're always very busy, And patients are often under stress,
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so they want someone who can cope with that and stay calm
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and at the same time be confident when interacting with the public.
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Well, after dealing with three children all under five, I reckon I can cope with that.
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I'm sure you can.
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And then another thing they mention is that they're looking for someone with good IT skills.
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Not a problem.
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So you'd be interested in following this up?
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Sure.
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When would it start?
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Well, they're looking for someone from the beginning of next month.
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But I should tell you that this isn't a permanent job.
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It's temporary.
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So the contract would be just to the end of September.
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But they do say that there could be further opportunities after that.
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Okay.
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And what would the hours be?
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Well, they want someone who can start at a quarter to eight in the morning.
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Could you manage that?
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"Yes, my husband would have to get the kids up and off to my mother's.
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She's going to be looking after them while I'm at work." What time would I finish?
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1 .15.
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That should work out all right.
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I can pick the kids up on my way home, and then I'll have the afternoon with them.
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Oh, one thing.
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Is there parking available for staff at the centre?
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Yes, there is.
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And it's also on a bus route.
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Right.
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Well, I expect I'll have the car, but it's good to know that.
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OK, so where do I go from here?
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Well, if you're happy for me to do so, I'll forward your CV and references,
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And then the best thing would probably be for you to phone them so they can arrange for an interview.
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Great.
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Well, thank you very much.
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You're welcome.
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Bye now.
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Bye.
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That is the end of part one.
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You now have one minute to check your answers to part one.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will engage with a practical scenario that mirrors a common situation in the job market: a phone call between an employment agency and a job seeker. By listening to the dialogue between Greg Preston, an employment agent, and Julie Davison, a woman seeking job opportunities as a receptionist, you will enhance your listening comprehension and speaking skills. This exercise will provide you with the opportunity to practice crucial English speaking techniques, focusing on job-related vocabulary and real-world communication patterns. As you proceed, aim to improve your English pronunciation and fluency through effective shadow speech techniques.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Employment agency - A service that helps individuals find jobs.
  • Receptionist - A person who works at the front desk of an office or business.
  • To inquire - To ask for information.
  • Database - An organized collection of data, typically in digital form.
  • Appointment - A scheduled meeting or arrangement.
  • Administrative duties - Tasks related to running an organization efficiently.
  • To reschedule - To change the time of a previously arranged appointment.

Practice Tips

When practicing with this dialogue, remember to incorporate shadow speech techniques to enhance your English speaking practice. Start by listening to the recording carefully. Pay attention to the speed and tone of the speakers, as mimicking their rhythm can significantly improve your English pronunciation. Use a shadowing app to help you record your practice sessions and receive feedback on your performance. Aim to reproduce the intonation and emotional nuances of the conversation to grasp the subtleties of conversational English. This particular dialogue contains natural pauses and varied speeds, providing an excellent opportunity to practice effective shadowing and improve your language skills. After listening, try to echo the phrases and sentences, focusing on clarity and expression. By consistently applying these methods, you can greatly enhance your ability to communicate in English effortlessly and confidently.

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.