Shadowing Practice: [IELTS Listening] Section 1 - FORM COMPLETION - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Section 1.
2
You will hear a conversation between a customer service representative and a customer who demands a full refund.
3
First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.
4
You will see that there is an example which has been done for you.
5
On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
6
Hello and welcome to Under Pressure Enterprises, Customer Service Department.
7
This is Kelly.
8
How may I help you?
9
Yes, I'm calling about one of your rice cookers I just purchased.
10
The customer says that he is calling about one of the rice cookers he just purchased.
11
So rice cooker has been written in the space.
12
Now we shall begin.
13
You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time.
14
Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.
15
It nearly scalded my hand when I went to open it.
16
Why, it could have killed the cat or something.
17
It could have exploded and killed my wife and me.
18
Sir, sir, please calm down.
19
As long as the steam escapes the cooker it won't explode
20
so you're telling me there's no problem are you calling me
21
a liar sir no one is calling you a liar yes
22
so I demand a full refund under pressure will be happy
23
to refund your money sir now I just need some basic
24
information okay okay sorry I do tend to get a little hot under the collar my wife tells me to slow down.
25
So what do you need to know?
26
Sir, don't worry.
27
I just need to ask you the model number of the cooker.
28
Hmm, where are my glasses?
29
Ah, here.
30
Let's see.
31
Ah, it's R242.
32
R242.
33
Okay.
34
And how much did you pay for the product?
35
£89.99.
36
It was on sale.
37
I guess I should tell you.
38
Thank you, that's honest of you.
39
Now, where did you buy the cooker?
40
Which store and which branch?
41
At that big Electric Life appliance store downtown.
42
The city centre branch?
43
That's the one.
44
And you say the problem is that the steam escapes?
45
Yes, it does.
46
No problem, sir.
47
If there's steam escaping, clearly the cooker is broken or defective.
48
So, we have an R242 cooker with an escaping steam problem.
49
It was bought from Electric Life City Center Branch for $89.99.
50
Is that correct?
51
Yes, that is correct.
52
Oh, I nearly forgot.
53
When did you buy the cooker?
54
Just as soon as my wife got the crazy idea she'll live longer if she stops eating good English food, roast beef and mash.
55
No, all she says she wants is rice and vegetables and sauces you'd not soak your feet in.
56
Thank you.

About This Lesson

This lesson is designed to help you practice your listening skills through a real-life conversation focused on customer service. You will listen to a dialogue between a customer seeking a refund and a representative from a company. By engaging with this material, you will not only improve your English listening comprehension but also learn how to navigate similar situations in English-speaking environments. This exercise will aid learners preparing for the IELTS exam, especially Section 1, which often features everyday interactions. You will have the opportunity to learn English with YouTube while honing your skills in identifying key information from spoken dialogue.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Refund - The money returned to a customer when they are not satisfied with a purchase.
  • Model number - A specific identifier for a product, such as R242 in this lesson.
  • Escaping steam - Steam that leaks out of a device, indicating it may be malfunctioning.
  • Appliance - A device or machine designed for a particular household function, like a rice cooker.
  • Defective - A term used to describe a product that does not work properly or has a fault.
  • Customer service - The department responsible for assisting customers with their inquiries and issues.
  • City center branch - A specific location of a retail chain, typically in the downtown area.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience while watching this video, consider using the shadowing technique. This involves listening to the dialogue and repeating it aloud, mimicking the tone and pace of the speakers. Start by playing the video at normal speed and focus on capturing the key phrases. If needed, you can slow down the playback speed to fully comprehend the dialogue, especially if you're a beginner. Using a shadowing app can further enhance this practice by allowing you to record and compare your pronunciation with native speakers. Aim to repeat phrases immediately after hearing them, as this will help you improve English pronunciation while also gaining confidence in your speaking abilities. Remember, practicing consistently with resources like this will support your IELTS speaking practice and prepare you for real-life English conversations.

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.