Shadowing Practice: Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 1 Section 1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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IELTS 18, published by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, 2023.
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IELTS 18, published by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, 2023.
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This recording is copyright.
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Test 1.
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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 ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
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Now turn to part one.
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Part one.
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You will hear an interview with a woman who is doing a survey on transport.
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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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Excuse me, would you mind if I asked you some questions?
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We're doing a survey on transport.
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Yes, that's OK.
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First of all, can I take your name?
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Yes, it's Sadie Jones.
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Thanks very much.
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And could I have your date of birth?
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Just the year will do, actually.
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Is that all right?
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Yes, that's fine.
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It's 1991.
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So, next, your postcode, please.
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It's DW307YZ.
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Great, thanks.
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Is that in Wells?
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No, it's actually in Harbourn.
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Wells isn't far from there, though.
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I really like that area.
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My grandmother lived there when I was a kid.
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Yes, it is nice.
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Right, so now I want to ask you some questions about how you travelled here today.
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Did you use public transport?
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Yes, I came by bus.
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OK, and that was today.
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It's the 24th of April, isn't it?
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Isn't it the 25th?
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Er, no.
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Actually, you're right.
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And what was the reason for your trip today?
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I can see you've got some shopping with you.
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Yes, I did some shopping.
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But the main reason I came here was to go to the dentist.
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That's not much fun.
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Hope it was nothing serious.
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No, it was just a check-up.
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It's fine.
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Good.
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Do you normally travel by bus into the city centre?
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Yes.
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I stopped driving in ages ago because parking was so difficult to find.
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And it costs so much.
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I see.
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The bus is much more convenient too.
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It only takes about 30 minutes.
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That's good.
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So where did you start your journey?
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At the bus stop on Clacksby Street.
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Is that C-L-A-X-B-Y?
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That's right.
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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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And how satisfied with the service are you?
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Do you have any complaints?
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Well, as I said, it's very convenient and quick when it's on time.
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but this morning it was late.
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Only about ten minutes, but still.
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Yes, I understand that's annoying.
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And what about the timetable?
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Do you have any comments about that?
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Hmm.
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I suppose I mainly use the bus during the day, but any time I've been in town in the evening, for dinner or at the cinema, I've noticed you have to wait a long time for a bus.
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There aren't that many.
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OK, thanks.
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So now I'd like to ask you about your car use.
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Well, I have got a car, but I don't use it that often.
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Mainly just to go to the supermarket.
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But that's about it, really.
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My husband uses it at the weekends to go to the golf club.
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And what about a bicycle?
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I don't actually have one at the moment.
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What about the city bikes you can rent?
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you ever use those?
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No, I'm not keen on cycling there because of all the pollution.
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But I would like to get a bike.
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It would be good to use it to get to work.
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So why haven't you got one now?
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Well, I live in a flat on the second floor and it doesn't have any storage.
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so we'd have to leave it in the hall outside the flat.
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I see.
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OK, well, I think that's all we need from you today.
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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.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Why practice speaking with this video?

This section of the IELTS Listening Test demonstrates a natural conversation that provides an excellent opportunity for English learners to enhance their speaking skills. By listening to the interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee, students can observe real-life English in action, which is crucial for building fluency. Engaging with this material allows learners to practice speaking in similar contexts, share personal experiences, and respond to questions, mimicking authentic communication.

Furthermore, practicing with this video helps in developing listening comprehension, as students will need to grasp nuances, vocabulary, and everyday phrases that are often used in discussions about transportation and daily routines. This not only improves comprehension but also enriches students' vocabulary for their own conversations.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the interview, several key grammar structures and expressions are employed that can enhance learners' speaking abilities:

  • Present simple tense: The interviewer asks, "Do you normally travel by bus?" This structure is essential for discussing habits and routines.
  • Modal verbs: Phrases like "would you mind" and "I would like" are used politely, making them useful in formal and informal requests.
  • Wh- questions: The phrase "what was the reason for your trip today" highlights how to inquire about specifics in a conversational manner.
  • Conditional sentences: The interviewee states, “If I had a bike, it would be good to use it to get to work.” Such forms can help learners express conditions and hypotheticals effectively.

By embedding these structures in their speaking practice, learners can utilize a shadowing app to repeat the phrases accurately and improve their speaking fluency.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Throughout the video, certain words and phrases may present pronunciation challenges for learners:

  • “Bus” may be pronounced quickly, possibly leading to confusion with similar-sounding words. Emphasis on the vowel sounds is key.
  • “Convenient” has a tricky sequence of syllables; practicing the separation of syllables can enhance clarity.
  • “Post code” is often said more quickly in conversation; it’s crucial to focus on the specific sounds to avoid misunderstanding.

By paying close attention to these common traps and integrating this video into a regular practice routine, learners can significantly improve their pronunciation skills. Utilize shadow speak techniques to echo the speaker and reinforce accurate phonetics. Remember, engaging with materials such as IELTS practice will accelerate your journey to learn English with YouTube effectively.

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.

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