Shadowing Practice: IELTS LISTENING STUDY WITH AUDIO SCRIPT AND KEY -18-1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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IELTS 18 Excuse me, would you mind if I asked you some questions?
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IELTS 18 Excuse me, would you mind if I asked you some questions?
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We're doing a survey on transport.
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Yes, that's OK.
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First of all, can I take your name?
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Yes, it's Sadie Jones.
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Thanks very much.
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And could I have your date of birth?
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Just the year will do, actually.
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Is that all right?
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Yes, that's fine.
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It's 1991.
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So, next, your postcode, please.
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It's DW307YZ.
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Great, thanks.
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Is that in Wells?
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No, it's actually in Harbourn.
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Wells isn't far from there though.
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I really like that area.
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My grandmother lived there when I was a kid.
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Yes, it is nice.
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Right, so now I want to ask you some questions about how you travelled here today.
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Did you use public transport?
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Yes, I came by bus.
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OK, and that was today.
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It's the 24th of April, isn't it?
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Isn't it the 25th?
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Er, no, actually, you're right.
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And what was the reason for your trip today?
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I can see you've got some shopping with you.
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Yes, I did some shopping, but the main reason I came here was to go to the dentist.
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That's not much fun.
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Hope it was nothing serious.
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No, it was just a check-up.
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It's fine.
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Good.
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Do you normally travel by bus into the city centre?
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Yes, I stopped driving in ages ago because parking was so difficult to find and it costs so much.
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I see.
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The bus is much more convenient too.
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It only takes about 30 minutes.
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That's good.
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So where did you start your journey?
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At the bus stop on Claxby Street.
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Is that C-L-A-X-B-Y?
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That's right.
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And how satisfied with the service are you?
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Do you have any complaints?
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Well, as I said, it's very convenient and quick when it's on time.
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But this morning it was late.
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Only about ten minutes, but still.
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Yes, I understand that's annoying.
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And what about the timetable?
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Do you have any comments about that?
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Hmm.
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I suppose I mainly use the bus during the day, but any time I've been in town in the evening, for dinner or at the cinema, I've noticed you have to wait a long time for a bus.
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There aren't that many.
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OK, thanks.
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So now I'd like to ask you about your car use.
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Well, I have got a car, but I don't use it that often, mainly just to go to the supermarket.
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But that's about it really.
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My husband uses it at the weekends to go to the golf club.
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And what about a bicycle?
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I don't actually have one at the moment.
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What about the city bikes you can rent?
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Do you ever use those?
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No, I'm not keen on cycling there because of all the pollution.
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But I would like to get a bike.
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It would be good to use it to get to work.
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So why haven't you got one now?
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Well, I live in a flat on the second floor and it doesn't have any storage, so we'd have to leave it in the hall outside the flat.
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I see.
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Okay, well, I think that's all we need from you.
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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English listening and speaking skills using a real-life dialogue from an IELTS listening exercise. The conversation features a survey about transport, which includes asking for personal details and discussing public transport experience. By focusing on the dialogue, you will enhance your comprehension skills while improving your ability to engage in similar conversations. This practice will help you prepare for the IELTS exam and refine your English speaking practice methods. Furthermore, you will learn how to structure your responses and maintain an engaging dialogue.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Survey - a method of gathering information from individuals about their opinions or experiences.
  • Postcode - a code used in addresses to identify specific locations.
  • Public transport - a system of vehicles such as buses and trains that is available for use by the general public.
  • Convenient - something that is easy or suitable for a particular purpose.
  • Complaint - an expression of dissatisfaction or a problem encountered.
  • Check-up - a regular examination by a doctor.
  • Journey - the act of traveling from one place to another.
  • Satisfied - feeling pleased or content with something.

Practice Tips

To get the most out of your listening practice, consider employing a technique called shadowspeaks. It involves listening to the audio and repeating what you hear as closely as possible, mimicking the speed and tone. The dialogue moves at a relatively moderate pace, making it a suitable choice for learn english with youtube techniques. Try to pay attention to the intonation and rhythm of the speakers. Here are some step-by-step tips for effective practice:

  • Listen multiple times: Start by listening to the audio once without interruption. Then, replay it while pausing after each sentence to repeat what you hear.
  • Focus on pronunciation: Pay special attention to the pronunciation of key vocabulary. Use a pronunciation dictionary if needed to clarify how words are said.
  • Record yourself: After practicing, record your voice while repeating the dialogue. Listen to your recording to identify areas for improvement in your improve English pronunciation.
  • Engage in dialogue: Practice speaking with a partner by role-playing the conversation, which helps to reinforce your understanding and foster IELTS speaking practice.

Implementing these strategies will not only enhance your listening abilities but also prepare you to converse effectively in English, especially in scenarios similar to the one presented in the video.

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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