Shadowing Practice: Event Cost Venue Notes | IELTS LISTENING Section-1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
you will hear a woman telephoning for information about a festival
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105 sentences
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you will hear a woman telephoning for information about a festival
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first you have some time to look at questions one to seven
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You will see that there is a an example
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that has been done for you on this occasion only the
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conversation relating to this will be played first good morning stretton
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festival box office how can i help you oh hello my family
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and i are on holiday in the area
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and we've seen some posters about the festival this week could
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you tell me about some of the events please of course
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first of all are there still tickets available for the jazz band on Saturday there are
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but only 15 pounds the 12-pound seats have all been sold the man says that tickets are available for £15,
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so 15 has been written in the space.
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Now we shall begin.
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You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time.
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Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 7.
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Good morning, Stretton Festival Box Office.
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How can I help you?
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Oh, hello.
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My family and I are on holiday in the area,
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and we've seen some posters about the festival this week.
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Could you tell me about some of the events, please? Of course.
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First of all, are there still tickets available for the jazz band on Saturday?
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There are, but only £15.
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The £12 seats have all been sold.
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OK, and the venue is the school, isn't it?
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Yes, that's right.
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The secondary school.
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Make sure you don't go to the primary school by mistake.
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And there's an additional performer who isn't mentioned on the posters.
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Carolyn Hart is going to play with the band.
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Oh, I think I've heard her on the radio.
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Doesn't she play the oboe or flute or something?
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Yes, the flute.
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She usually plays with symphony orchestras,
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and apparently this is her first time with a jazz band.
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Well, I'd certainly like to hear her.
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Then the next thing I want to ask about is the duck races.
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I saw a poster beside a river.
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What are they exactly?
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Well, you buy a yellow plastic duck,
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or as many as you like, they're a pound each.
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And you write your name on each one.
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There'll be several races, depending on the number of ducks taking part.
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And John Stevens, a champion swimmer who lives locally,
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is going to start the races.
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All the ducks will be launched into the river at the back of the cinema.
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Then they'll float along the river for 500 metres,
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as far as the railway bridge.
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And are there any prizes?
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Yes.
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The first duck in each race to arrive at the finishing
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line wins its owner free tickets for the concert on the last night of the festival.
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You said you can buy a duck.
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I'm sure my children will both want one.
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They're on sale at a stall in the market.
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You can't miss it.
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It's got an enormous sign showing a couple of ducks.
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Okay, I'll go there this afternoon.
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I remember walking past there yesterday.
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Now, could you tell me something about the flower show, please?
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Well, admission is free and the show is being held in Bythwaite Hall.
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Sorry, how do you spell that?
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B-Y-T-H-W-A-I-T-E.
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Bythwaite.
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Is it easy to find?
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I'm not very familiar with the town yet.
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Oh, you won't have any problem.
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It's right in the centre of Stretton.
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It's the only old building in the town,
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so it's easy to recognise.
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I know it.
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I presume it's open all day?
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Yes, but if you'd like to see the prizes being awarded for the best flowers,
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you'll need to be there at five o'clock.
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The prizes are being given by a famous actor, Kevin Shapless.
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He lives nearby and gets involved in a lot of community events.
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Gosh, I've seen him on TV.
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I'll definitely go to the prize giving.
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Right.
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Before you hear the rest of the conversation,
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you have some time to look at questions 8 to 10.
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Now listen and answer questions 8 to 10.
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I've seen a list of plays that are being performed this week,
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and I'd like to know which are suitable for my children,
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and which ones my husband and I might go to.
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How old are your children?
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Five and seven.
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What about The Mystery of Muldoon?
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That's aimed at five to ten-year-olds.
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So if I take my children,
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I can expect them to enjoy it more than I do?
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I think so.
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If you'd like something for yourself and your husband,
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and leave your children with a babysitter,
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you might like to see Fire and Flood.
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It's about events that really happened in Stretton 200 years ago,
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and children might find it rather frightening.
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Oh, thanks for the warning.
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And finally, what about Silly Sailor?
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That's a comedy, and it's for young and old.
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In fact, it won an award in the Stretton Drama Festival a couple of months ago.
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Okay.
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Well, goodbye and thanks for all the information.
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I'm looking forward to the festival.
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Goodbye.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking through videos like this one offers unique benefits for English learners, especially those preparing for the IELTS exam. By engaging with the content, learners immerse themselves in real-life conversations, simulating situations they might encounter on test day. The dialogue about a local festival not only provides practical vocabulary related to events and inquiry but also helps learners understand the formality and structure of a telephone conversation. Shadow speaking along with the audio allows you to enhance your fluency and pronunciation, making it easier to recall phrases during speaking tasks. By using a shadowing app or participating in shadowspeak sessions, you further develop your language skills in a natural and context-driven manner.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the video, several grammatical structures and expressions stand out that are essential for effective communication. Here are a few key examples:

  • Direct Questions: The expression “Could you tell me about some of the events, please?” demonstrates the polite form of inquiry that is crucial in formal conversations.
  • Present Tense Usage: The speaker states, “There are still tickets available,” showcasing the present tense for reporting current information, which is a vital skill for IELTS speaking tasks.
  • Conditional Phrasing: “If you write your name on each one” illustrates conditional structures that help to provide clear instructions, enhancing the clarity of your spoken English.

Integrating these structures into your own speaking practice will heighten your ability to articulate thoughts clearly and effectively.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you listen to the video, pay special attention to certain words and phrases that might pose challenges in pronunciation:

  • “Jazz”: This word can often be mispronounced; focus on the 'j' sound followed by the short 'a' vowel.
  • “Plastic”: Make sure to emphasize both syllables clearly to avoid sounding unclear—'plas-tic' rather than 'plas-ic.'
  • “Champion”: This term is frequently mispronounced in fast speech. Aim for clarity by articulating each syllable: 'cham-pi-on.'

Being mindful of these common traps will aid in improving your overall clarity and confidence in speaking English.

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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