Shadowing Practice: English in a Minute: Off the Hook - Learn English Speaking with Video
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16 sentences
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1
Welcome to English in a Minute.
2
A hook is a curved piece of metal.
3
A hook is used to catch or hang things.
4
But what does it mean to be off the hook?
5
Anna, our presentation is in five minutes.
6
Where Where have you been?
7
Oh, you meant this Thursday.
8
As in today.
9
I knew this would happen.
10
I can still prepare.
11
No, I prepared.
12
I had Ashley practice with me as a backup, so she can take your place.
13
You're off the hook, Anna.
14
If you are off the hook, you've escaped from trouble or a difficult situation.
15
or no longer required to do something you were supposed to do, often because someone else is doing it instead.
16
You're welcome, Anna.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “English in a Minute: Off the Hook”. This video has 16 sentences and 122 words to shadow. The speech runs for 0:53. The speaker talks at a steady 138 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 11 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hook noun | /hʊk/ | A rod bent into a curved shape, typically with one end free and the other end secured to a rope or other attachment. |
| presentation noun | /ˌpɹɛzn̩ˈteɪʃn̩/ | The act of presenting, or something presented. |
| backup noun | /ˈbækˌʌp/ | A reserve or substitute. |
| curve noun | /kɚv/ | A bend, such as in a road. |
| prepare verb | /pɹɪˈpɛ(ə)ɹ/ | To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip; to forearm. |
| escape verb | /ɪˈskeɪp/ | To get free; to free oneself. |
| suppose verb | /səˈpoʊz/ | To take for granted; to conclude, with less than absolute supporting data; to believe. |
| welcome | /ˈwɛl.kəm/ | Greeting given upon someone's arrival. |
| catch verb | /kæt͡ʃ/ | To capture or snare (someone or something which would rather escape). |
| metal noun | /ˈmɛ.təl/ | Any of a number of chemical elements in the periodic table that form a metallic bond with other metal atoms; generally shiny, somewhat malleable and hard… |
| trouble noun | /ˈt͡ʃɹʌbəl/ | A distressing or dangerous situation. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | have you been · you've escaped |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | is doing |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, you've. 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 hook, presentation, backup.
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.