Shadowing Practice: IELTS Cambridge 10 test 1 section 3 - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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Section 3.
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You will hear a student called John talking to a professor about a design competition he is entering.
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First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.
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Thank you.
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Um, hello Professor.
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I'm John Wishart.
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I'm working on my entry for the Global Design Competition.
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My tutor said you might be able to help me with it.
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Ah yes, I got a copy of your drawings.
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Come in and tell me about it.
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What sort of competition is it?
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Well, it's an international design competition and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance.
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I see.
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And are there any special conditions?
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Does it have to save energy, for example?
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Actually, that was the focus in last year's competition.
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This year's different.
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We have to adopt an innovative approach to existing technology, using it in a way that hasn't been thought of before.
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I see, that sounds tricky.
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And what kitchen appliance have you chosen?
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Well, I decided to choose the dishwasher.
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Interesting.
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What made you choose that?
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Well, they're an everyday kitchen appliance in most Australian houses, but they're all pretty boring and almost identical to each other.
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I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different.
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That's a nice idea.
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I see you've called your design the rock pool.
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Why is that?
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Basically because it looks like the rock pools you find on a beach.
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The top is made of glass so that you can look down into it.
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And there's a stone at the bottom.
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Is that just for decoration?
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Actually, it does have a function.
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Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone.
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So it's really just a novel way of starting the dishwasher?
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That's right.
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It's a really nice design, but what makes it innovative?
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Well, I decided to make a dishwasher that uses carbon dioxide.
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In place of water and detergent?
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How will you manage that?
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The idea is to pressurise the carbon dioxide so that it becomes a liquid.
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The fluid is then released into the dishwasher where it cleans the dishes all by itself.
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Sounds like a brilliant idea.
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Your system will totally do away with the need for strong detergents.
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So what happens once the dishes are clean?
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Well, to allow them to dry, the liquid carbon dioxide and the waste materials all go to an area called the holding chamber.
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That's where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas.
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Then the oil and grease are separated out and sent to the waste system.
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It sounds like you've thought it all out very thoroughly.
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So what happens to the carbon dioxide once the process is complete?
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Not wasted, I hope?
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Actually, that's where the real savings are made.
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The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again.
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What a terrific idea!
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Do you think it will ever be built?
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Probably not, but that's OK.
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I'm sure a lot of positive things will come out of your design.
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Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.
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Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.
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Now you seem to have thought about everything, so what exactly did you need me to help you with?
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Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition
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and in a few months' time I have to give a presentation.
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And that's the part I was hoping you could help me with.
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Right, well that should be easy enough.
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What have you managed to do so far?
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Well, I've got detailed drawings to show how it will work and I've also written a 500 word paper on it.
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I see.
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Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning, you really need a model of the machine.
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Yes, I thought I might, but I'm having a few problems.
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What's the main difficulty so far?
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Ah, let me guess, is it the materials?
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Yes.
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I want it to look professional, but everything that's top quality is also very expensive.
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Look, projects like this are very important to us.
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They really help lift our profile.
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So why don't you talk to the university about a grant?
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Oh.
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I can help you fill out the application forms, if you like.
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Oh, that would be great.
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You'd better show me this paper you've written as well.
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For a global competition such as this, you need to make sure the technical details you've given are accurate and thorough.
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Oh, that would be a great help.
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Is there anything else I can do?
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Well, I'm really nervous.
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That is the end of Section 3.
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You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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Now turn to section 4.

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will focus on improving your English speaking and pronunciation skills through a detailed analysis of a conversation between a student named John and a professor discussing an innovative design competition. The dialogue explores topics such as creativity in design, everyday kitchen appliances, and the use of technology. By practicing this conversation, you will enhance your ability to articulate ideas clearly and confidently, essential skills for IELTS speaking practice and overall English fluency.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Design competition: A contest where participants create ideas for new products or designs.
  • Innovative approach: A new or creative way of thinking or doing something.
  • Domestic kitchen appliance: Devices commonly found in homes, like dishwashers or ovens.
  • Pressurize: To increase pressure, often used in contexts involving gases or liquids.
  • Holding chamber: A designated space where items are processed or stored temporarily.
  • Detergents: Substances used for cleaning, often found in washing products.
  • Function: The intended purpose or role of an object.
  • Waste system: A system designed to dispose of unwanted materials or byproducts.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience, consider using the shadowing technique while practicing the dialogue. As you listen to the conversation between John and the professor, aim to follow along closely with the speaker's pace. The speed of the dialogue in this video is moderate, making it an excellent choice for shadowing. Here are some tips to improve your English pronunciation and overall speaking skills:

  • Listen carefully: Focus on how words are pronounced, the intonation used, and the rhythm of the speech.
  • Repeat promptly: After each phrase or sentence, repeat it out loud as soon as the speaker finishes. This will help you adjust your mouth movements and pronunciation.
  • Imitate emotions: Try to capture the tone and emotion behind the words. This will enrich your speaking ability, making it sound more natural.
  • Use a mirror: Practice speaking in front of a mirror to observe your facial expressions and mouth movements, which can contribute to clearer pronunciation.
  • Record yourself: Record your shadow speaking practice sessions and compare them to the original audio. This can help you identify areas for improvement.

Engaging in regular practice through shadowing not only develops your speaking skills but also boosts your confidence in using English in real-life situations, especially useful for those preparing for the IELTS exam. Start today and watch as you improve your English pronunciation and fluency!

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.