Shadowing Practice: Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 1 Section 3 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Part 3 You will hear two students called Hugo and Chantal discussing a talk they have just attended at the start of their course in fashion design.
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Part 3 You will hear two students called Hugo and Chantal discussing a talk they have just attended at the start of their course in fashion design.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.
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Thank you.
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Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.
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Hi Chantal.
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What did you think of the talk then?
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Hi Hugo.
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I thought it was good once I'd moved seats.
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Oh, were the people beside you chatting or something?
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It wasn't that.
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I went early so that I'd get a seat and not have to stand.
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but then this guy sat right in front of me and he was so tall.
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It's hard to see through people's heads, isn't it?
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Impossible!
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Anyway, to answer your question, I thought it was really interesting,
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especially what the speaker said about the job market me too I mean we know we're going into a really competitive
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field so it's obvious that we may struggle to get work that's right and we know we can't all have that dream job yeah but it looks like there's a whole range of areas of work that we hadn't even thought of like
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fashion journalism for instance.
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Yeah, I wasn't expecting so many career options.
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Hmm.
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Overall, she had quite a strong message, didn't she?
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She did.
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She kept saying things like, I know you all think this, but...
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and then she'd tell us how it really is.
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Perhaps she thinks students are a bit narrow-minded about the industry.
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It was a bit harsh, though.
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We know it's a tough industry.
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Yeah, and we're only first years after all.
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We've got a lot to learn.
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Exactly.
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Do you think our secondary school education should have been more career-focused?
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Well, we had numerous talks on careers, which was good, but none of them were very inspiring.
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They could have asked more people like today's speaker to talk to us.
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I agree.
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We were told about lots of different careers, just when we needed to be, but not by the experts who really know stuff.
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So did today's talk influence your thoughts on what career you'd like to take up in the future?
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Well, I promised myself that I'd go through this course and keep an open mind till the end.
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But I think it's better to pick an area of the industry now and then aim to get better and better at it.
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Well, I think we'll just have to differ on that issue.
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One thing's for certain though, from what she said, we'll be unpaid assistants in the industry for quite a long time.
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I'm prepared for that.
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Aren't you?
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Actually, I'm not going to accept that view.
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Really?
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But she knows it's the case, and everyone else says the same.
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That doesn't mean it has to be true for me.
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OK.
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Well, I hope you're right.
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Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.
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Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.
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I thought the speaker's account of her first job was fascinating.
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Yeah.
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She admitted she was lucky to get work being a personal dresser for a musician.
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She didn't even apply for the job and there she was getting paid to choose all his clothes.
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It must have felt amazing.
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Though she said all she was looking for back then was experience, not financial reward.
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And then he was so mean telling her she was more interested in her own appearance than his.
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But she did realise he was right about that, which really made me think.
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I'm always considering my own clothes, but now I can see you should be focusing on your client.
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She obviously regretted losing the job.
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Well, as she said, she should have hidden her negative feelings about him, but she didn't.
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It was really brave the way she picked herself up and took that job in retail.
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Fancy working in a shop after that?
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Yeah, well, she recommended we all do it at some point.
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I guess as a designer you'd get to find out some useful information, like how big or small the average shopper is.
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I think that's an issue for manufacturers, not designers.
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However, it would be useful to know if there's a gap in the market, you know?
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An item that no one's stocking, but that consumers are looking for.
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Yeah, people don't give up searching.
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They also take things back to the store if they aren't right.
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Yeah.
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Imagine you worked in an expensive shop and you found out the garments sold there were being returned because they fell apart in the wash.
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Yeah, it would be good to know that kind of thing.
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Yeah.
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That is the end of part three.
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You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part three.
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Thank you.
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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking English is crucial for gaining confidence and fluency, especially in contexts like discussions about career options and education. The conversation between Hugo and Chantal in this IELTS speaking practice video highlights not only their personal reflections on a talk about fashion design but also presents a natural and relatable scenario. Engaging with this material allows learners to absorb the rhythm and flow of conversational English, which is essential for effective communication.

Using a shadowing technique, learners can listen and repeat the dialogue, imitating the speakers’ intonation and pronunciation. This method enhances your ability to speak spontaneously about topics like career aspirations and challenges in competitive industries. By regularly practicing with videos like this, you will improve your speaking skills and gain the ability to express your thoughts clearly.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In this conversation, several key grammatical structures and expressions stand out that are particularly useful for learners:

  • Use of modal verbs: Phrases like "we may struggle" and "it has to be true for me" show how modal verbs indicate possibility and obligation. Such expressions are vital for discussing uncertainty in career prospects.
  • Conditional forms: The sentence “if we can’t all have that dream job” illustrates the use of conditionals in expressing hypothetical situations. This linguistic structure aids learners in discussing various scenarios regarding job markets and choices.
  • Direct speech and reported speech: The phrase “she kept saying things like, ‘I know you all think this, but...’” demonstrates how to quote others directly, which is essential in discussions, particularly when summarizing points from lectures or talks.

Common Pronunciation Traps

In this video, certain words and phrases may present challenges for learners in terms of pronunciation:

  • “Competitive”: Pay attention to the syllable stress and try to emphasize the second syllable, making it sound clearer.
  • “Journalism”: This word may be tricky due to its multiple syllables. Practice breaking it down into “jour-na-lism” to ensure clarity when speaking.
  • “Narrow-minded”: The blending of sounds can be difficult. Focus on articulating each part as you practice speaking, ensuring a smooth flow.

For effective practice, consider using a shadowing app to listen to and repeat these phrases. The shadowspeak technique can significantly enhance your pronunciation skills by allowing you to mimic native speakers and refine your accent. By integrating these elements into your practice, you will develop a more nuanced understanding of the language, all while preparing for your IELTS exam!

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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