Shadowing Practice: Cambridge IELTS 21 TEST 1 PART 3 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Part 3.
2
You will hear two marine biology students discussing a lecture on marine biodiversity and conservation from a visiting speaker.
3
First, you have some time to look at questions 21, to 24.
4
Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.
5
That lecture from the visiting speaker yesterday was good, wasn't it?
6
Yeah, I learned a lot from her about ocean biodiversity.
7
i've already done some reading on it
8
and i did an assignment on some of the problems associated with it last year
9
But I especially liked the way her lecture focused on more long -term issues.
10
Yes, things that aren't currently receiving widespread attention, but are likely to be important in the future.
11
That impressed me too.
12
It wasn't exactly a feel -good conclusion because it's hard to see any real solution for a lot of the problems.
13
No. Though she did point to where policy changes could be made to protect our marine and coastal environments.
14
Hmm, but that's just at a national level.
15
The examples she gave were at a more global level, and they really made it clear to me just how wide -ranging the threats to ocean biodiversity are.
16
Yes, me too.
17
The research project she described was impressive, wasn't it?
18
I'd have thought it was quite unusual to have so many experts working together.
19
Yeah, and from such different backgrounds.
20
Must have been a really exciting team to work with.
21
I'd heard of a couple of them before.
22
They were involved in research way back in 2009, warning about the dangers of ocean pollution.
23
But now people are much more aware of that, aren't they?
24
I suppose so.
25
Another thing about the research is that the team members came from all round the world.
26
Though I suppose that's not unusual nowadays.
27
Now everyone can work remotely.
28
Right.
29
I like the way she didn't bombard us with figures.
30
I mean, they were available, but she focused more on the general points they indicated.
31
Hmm.
32
And the description of improvements in systems used for tracking marine animals and things like robots were really interesting.
33
Yes.
34
And her description of how robotics can be used to investigate threats to biodiversity.
35
Absolutely.
36
Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30.
37
Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.
38
While you're here, can we talk about the list of resources we have to evaluate for the seminar tomorrow?
39
I've had a look at them all, but it's been a bit of a rush.
40
Yeah.
41
What did you think of that article on invasive lionfish?
42
the one claiming they were expanding their habitat throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
43
Well, the writer went on about how dangerous they were in environmental terms,
44
which is probably true, But he didn't really provide much information to explain why.
45
I know what you mean.
46
I watched the documentary on microplastics, at least I started to, but then I found it was made ten years ago, so I gave up.
47
I watched to the end, but you're right, it was showing its age.
48
People had hardly heard of microplastics then, whereas now everyone knows about them and how dangerous they are.
49
Yeah.
50
Did you listen to the podcast on ocean pollution?
51
Hmm.
52
I didn't get anything out of it, though.
53
Most of it was stating the obvious.
54
Yes.
55
It mentioned pesticides and plastic and things, and it clearly made the point that they were a bad thing.
56
But everybody knows that anyway.
57
Did you read that book on coastal ecosystems?
58
The one by John Harper?
59
Yes, I found it hard going at first.
60
It went into a lot of detail about things like the effects of offshore wind farms and fish farms, but actually...
61
I ended up with a much better understanding of the issues.
62
Yes, I agree, and I thought it was a well -written summary of those.
63
And the diagrams helped a lot too.
64
The article on metal toxicity was way above my head.
65
I didn't know anything about how metals from industrial emissions react in the ocean, and I still don't understand it.
66
I gave up reading after the first chapter.
67
I just couldn't follow it.
68
That podcast on floating marine cities was interesting, though it presented a rather one -sided picture, I thought.
69
Yes, it focused on how this would benefit people and ignored the effects on the environment.
70
But anyway, shall we talk about...
71
That is the end of part three.
72
You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part three.

Why practice speaking with this video?

Engaging with this video featuring marine biology students discussing a lecture offers an excellent opportunity to practice speaking in a real-world context. This dialogue delves into topics like marine biodiversity and conservation, making the vocabulary particularly relevant for students interested in environmental science or biology.

By listening to their conversation, learners can not only improve English pronunciation but also gain insights into effective communication strategies used in academic settings. The exchange showcases how to structure thoughts, express opinions, and articulate complex ideas clearly. Utilizing tools like the shadowing technique allows learners to mimic the speakers' intonations and rhythms, enhancing their fluency and comfort with academic discourse.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the discussion, several key grammatical structures and expressions emerge that can serve as practical examples for learners:

  • Past Perfect Tense: The phrase "I'd heard of a couple of them before" demonstrates the use of the past perfect tense to indicate prior knowledge. This structure is useful for learners when discussing prior experiences.
  • Subjunctive Mood: The expression "it wasn't exactly a feel-good conclusion" implies a contrast to expectations, showcasing how to articulate nuances effectively.
  • Speculative Language: Phrases like "I suppose so" introduce a sense of uncertainty and invite further dialogue, essential for discussions on complex themes.
  • Causal Language: Expressions such as "because it's hard to see any real solution" are pivotal in connecting ideas causally, encouraging learners to express their thoughts in a more developed manner.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Language learners can encounter specific pronunciation challenges in this video. Notably:

  • Invasive: This term appears in discussions about environmental issues, and learners should pay attention to the correct articulation, especially focusing on the initial vowel sound.
  • Microplastics: The stress pattern may be tricky; learners should practice emphasizing the second syllable to sound natural.
  • Biodiversity: This word can be difficult due to its length and syllable count. Breaking it down into segments can help: bio-di-ver-si-ty.

Utilizing the shadow speak approach while repeating these challenging words can significantly aid in improving pronunciation. Incorporating the IELTS speaking practice model will further enhance learners’ speaking skills, ensuring they are prepared for academic discussions or exams. Remember to focus on rhythm and stress patterns to build coherent speech.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itcould be made · were involved · was made
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowi've already done · have thought

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →