Shadowing Practice: IELTS English Podcast - Speaking Topic: Art - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 80 sentences and 915 words to shadow. The speech runs for 7:03. The speaker talks at a steady 130 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• topic /ˈtɑpɪk/ (noun) — A subject; a theme; a category or general area of interest.
• sculpture /ˈskʌlpt͡ʃɚ/ (noun) — A three-dimensional work of art created by shaping malleable objects and letting them harden or by chipping away pieces from a rock (sculpting).
• realistic /ˌɹɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/ (adjective) — Expressed or represented as being accurate, practicable, or not idealistic.
• abstract /ˈæbˌstɹækt/ (noun) — An abridgement or summary of a longer publication.
• creativity /kri.eɪˈtɪv.ᵻ.ti/ (noun) — The ability to use imagination to produce a novel idea or product.
• feedback /ˈfiːdˌbæk/ (noun) — Critical assessment of a process or activity or of their results.
• wrap /ɹæp/ (verb) — To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper.
• podcast /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ (noun) — A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on…
• blank /ˈblæŋk/ (noun) — The white spot in the centre of a target; hence (figuratively) the object to which anything is directed or aimed, the range of such aim.
• vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ (noun) — A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
• interpret /ɪnˈtɜː.pɹɪt/ (verb) — To decode the meaning of a topic and then act, whether to continue researching the topic, follow through, act in opposition, or further the understanding…
• portray /poɹˈtɹeɪ̯/ (verb) — To paint or draw the likeness of.
• extent /ɪkˈstɛnt/ (noun) — A range of values or locations.
• encourage /ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/ (verb) — To mentally support; to motivate, give courage, hope or spirit.
• skill /skɪl/ (noun) — A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• look at (verb) — To observe or watch.
• wrap up (verb) — To cover or enclose (something) by folding and securing a covering entirely around it.
• draw on (verb) — To sketch or mark with pencil, crayon, etc., on a given surface.
• go through (verb) — To travel from one end of something to the other.
• go with (verb) — To choose or accept (a suggestion).
• live in (verb) — To reside on the premises of one's employer (used especially of domestic staff such as nannies, cooks, maids, etc.)
• sign up (verb) — To add a name to the list of people who are participating in something.
• talk about (verb) — Used to draw attention to the speaker's characterization of someone or something.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 21 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, we'll, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

• The “sh” and “zh” sounds: exhibition /ɛksɪˈbɪʃən/, repetition /ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/, shorten /ˈʃɔɹtn̩/
• Long words — get the stress right: creativity /kri.eɪˈtɪv.ᵻ.ti/, vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, exhibition /ɛksɪˈbɪʃən/, flexibility /ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti/, realism /ˈɹi.əlɪzəm/

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like topic, sculpture, realistic.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video: