Shadowing Practice: Elle Woods' First Trial | Legally Blonde | HBO - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
Ms. Woods, you may begin your questioning.
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Ms. Woods, you may begin your questioning.
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Um... First of all I would like to point out that not only is there no proof in this case, but there is a complete lack of, um, mens rea, which by definition tells us that there can be no crime without a vicious will.
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I am aware of the meaning of mens rea.
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What I'm unaware of is why you're giving me a vocabulary lesson when you should be questioning your witness.
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Yes, Your Honor.
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Um.. Miss Windham, when you arrived back at the house, was your father there?
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Not that I saw, but like I said, I went straight upstairs to take a shower.
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And when you came downstairs, what happened?
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I saw Brooke standing over his body, drenched in his blood.
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Um, but Mrs. Windham didn’t have a gun?
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No. She'd stashed it by then.
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Move to strike that from the record, Your Honor.
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- It’s speculation. - So stricken.
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Go ahead. Um, Miss Windham, did you hear a shot fired?
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No, I was in the shower.
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Okay. So, sometime in the 20 minutes that you were in the shower, your father was shot.
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I guess. Your father was shot while you were in the shower, but you didn't hear the shot because...
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Um... Because you were in the shower?
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Yes. I was washing my hair.
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Where is she going with this?
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Have a little faith, Gerard.
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Um, Miss Windham, what had you done earlier that day?
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I got up, got a latte, went to the gym, got a perm and came home.
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Where you got in the shower?
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I believe the witness has made it clear that she was in the shower.
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Yes, Your Honor.
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Um, Miss Windham, had you ever gotten a perm before?
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Yes. How many would you say?
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Two a year since I was 12.
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You do the math.
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You know, a girl in my sorority, Tracy Marcinko, got a perm once.
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We all tried to talk her out of it.
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Curls weren't a good look for her.
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She didn't have your bone structure.
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But, thankfully, that same day she entered the Beta Delta Pi wet T-shirt contest where she was completely hosed down from head to toe.
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Objection! Why is this relevant?
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Oh, I have a point. I promise.
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Then make it.
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Yes, Your Honor.
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Um, Chutney, why is it that Tracy Marcinko’s curls were ruined when she got hosed down?
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‘Cause they got wet.
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Exactly. Because isn't it the first cardinal rule of perm maintenance that you're forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate?
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- Uh, yes. - And wouldn’t somebody who’s had, say, 30 perms before in their life be well aware of this rule?
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And if in fact you weren’t washing your hair, as I suspect you weren't, because your curls are still intact, wouldn't you have heard the gunshot?
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And if in fact, you had heard the gunshot, Brooke Windham wouldn't have had time to hide the gun before you got downstairs, which would mean that you would have had to have found Mrs. Windham with a gun in her hand to make your story plausible.
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Isn't that right?
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She's my age! Did she tell you that?
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How would you feel if your father married someone who was your age?
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You, however, had time to hide the gun, didn't you, Chutney, after you shot your father?
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I didn't mean to shoot him.
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I thought it was you walking through the door!
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Order! Order!
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Order! Oh! Oh, my god.
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Oh, my god.
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Oh, my god.
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Bailiff, take the witness into custody where she will be charged for the murder of Heyworth Windham.
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In the matter of The State v. Brooke Windham, this case is dismissed.
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Mrs. Windham, you’re free to go.
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Yes!

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About This Lesson

In this lesson inspired by the courtroom scene from "Legally Blonde," learners will practice English speaking skills through the context of a legal trial. The dialogue illustrates how to ask questions, present evidence, and engage in a compelling conversation, which are essential skills for effective communication. By shadowing the dialogue, learners will enhance their understanding of legal terminology and improve their overall speaking abilities in an engaging scenario.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Mens rea - The intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime.
  • Speculation - The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.
  • Objection - A formal statement made to disagree with a legal proceeding or question.
  • Plausible - Seeming reasonable or probable; credible.
  • Cardinal rule - A fundamental principle or guideline that should always be followed.
  • Perm - A hairstyle created by setting the hair in waves or curls using chemicals.
  • Intact - Not damaged or impaired; whole.
  • Hide the gun - To conceal or put away a weapon.

Practice Tips

To effectively improve your English speaking skills with this lesson, consider using a shadowing app to practice along with the video. Shadowing involves listening to the dialogue, then repeating it immediately after to match the speaker's intonation, pace, and pronunciation. This method builds fluency and helps you think in English.

As you engage with the transcript, pay attention to the tone of the characters; the courtroom setting requires a formal yet engaging speaking style. Start by pausing the video frequently to practice each sentence or phrase, ensuring clarity in your speech. Utilize phrases like "I object" and "may I begin my questioning?" to better understand how to navigate formal conversations.

Consider joining an online shadowing site where you can practice with others, or use a shadow speak method where you record your voice to compare it with the original dialogue. Listening to your own recordings can provide insights on improvements in your pronunciation and fluidity, ultimately enhancing your English speaking practice.

Remember, consistent practice will lead to greater confidence and proficiency in speaking English, especially in formal and legal contexts. Enjoy the learning process and have fun with it!

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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