Shadowing Practice: Cuntsniffer - Meant To Be (Lyrics) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “Cuntsniffer - Meant To Be”. This video has 17 sentences and 218 words to shadow. The speech runs for 2:38. The speaker talks slowly, about 83 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 5 of its 17 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| trick noun | /ˈtɹɪk/ | Something designed to fool, dupe, outsmart, mislead or swindle. |
| ceiling noun | /ˈsilɪŋ/ | The overhead closure of a room. |
| disagree verb | /dɪsəˈɡɹi/ | To fail to agree; to have a different opinion or belief. |
| butterfly noun | /ˈbʌ.tə(ɹ).flaɪ/ | A flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from moths by their diurnal activity and generally brighter colouring. |
| polite adjective | /pəˈlaɪt/ | Well-mannered, civilized. |
| esteem verb | /ɪˈstiːm/ | To set a high value on; to regard with respect or reverence. |
| dissatisfied adjective | /dɪsˈsætɪsˌfaɪd/ | Feeling or displaying disappointment or a lack of contentment. |
| tummy noun | /ˈtʌ.mi/ | The stomach or belly. |
| prize noun | /ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ | That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power. |
| dance noun | /dæns/ | A sequence of rhythmic steps or movements usually performed to music, for pleasure or as a form of social interaction. |
| trip noun | /tɹɪp/ | A journey; an excursion or jaunt. |
| stupid adjective | /ˈstjuːpɪd/ | Lacking in intelligence. |
| imagine verb | /ɪˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪn/ | To form a mental image of something; to envision or create something in one's mind. |
| dream verb | /ˈdɹim/ | To see imaginary events in one's mind while sleeping. |
| explain verb | /ɪkˈspleɪn/ | To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| walk off verb | To recover from (a minor injury) or digest (a large meal) by walking around. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | are meant |
| Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or prediction | will stick · will stand · will dance |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 9 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, I'll, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like trick, ceiling, disagree.
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.