Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Dreams - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

134 sentences

If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.

Hey everyone, welcome back.

Today's topic is dreams, something we all experience but don't always think much about.

Some dreams fade the moment we wake up, while others stay with us and feel surprisingly real.

In this lesson, you'll hear Finn and Blondie answering a set of questions about dreams, sharing their own experiences and thoughts along the way.

Let's get started.

Do you often remember your dreams?

Not very often, actually.

Most of the time, they fade as soon as I wake up.

But occasionally, a really vivid dream sticks with me throughout the day.

When that happens, I sometimes think about it for hours because it feels strangely real.

Can you describe a dream you had recently?

Sure.

Just last week, I dreamed I was giving a lecture in front of a huge audience.

But I kept forgetting what I wanted to say.

It felt incredibly real and stressful, probably because I've been nervous about presentations at university lately.

Do you think dreams have any meaning?

I think some dreams reflect our thoughts or feelings, like anxiety or excitement, but most are probably just random.

For example, I often dream about situations from my day, but they rarely have any deeper significance.

Have your dreams changed as you've gotten older?

Yes, definitely.

When I was younger, my dreams were mostly fun or fantastical, like flying or meeting superheroes.

Now, they're usually more realistic, often connected to exams, social situations, or daily worries.

Are there any recurring dreams you've had?

Yes, I sometimes dream about missing an important exam or forgetting something crucial.

It usually happens before stressful events, which makes me think it's my subconscious reacting to pressure.

Do you try to interpret your dreams?

Occasionally, especially if a dream is really strange or vivid.

I usually think about what might have caused it, like stress or excitement, rather than assuming it has a mystical meaning.

Have you ever had a nightmare?

How did it make you feel?

Yes, I've had nightmares where I was trapped or chased.

They usually leave me feeling tense or uneasy for a while after waking up, but I try to remind myself that it's just my mind playing tricks.

Do you prefer daydreaming or night dreams?

I'd say daydreaming.

It's more controlled and I can imagine scenarios or plan things creatively.

Night dreams are interesting sometimes, but they can be unpredictable or even a little disturbing.

Have you ever been inspired by a dream to do something in real life?

Actually, yes.

Once I dreamed about organizing a study group to help other students with difficult subjects, and I ended up doing exactly that the following week.

It was surprisingly productive and motivated others to join.

Do you think dreams can predict the future?

Not really.

I think dreams are more like reflections of our thoughts and experiences.

Occasionally, a dream might coincidentally resemble something that happens later, but I don't believe they can genuinely predict the future.

So that was Finn.

His answers feel quite reflective, with plenty of detail and personal examples that make his ideas easy to follow.

Now let's take a look at how Blondie answers the same questions.

Do you often remember your dreams?

Not as much as I'd like to honestly.

I usually wake up with this lingering feeling

that I was just somewhere else

but the actual details tend to slip through my fingers the moment I start my morning routine.

I might catch a glimpse of one once or twice a week but that's about it.

Can you describe a dream you had recently?

It was actually super random.

I dreamt I was back in my childhood home, but the layout was all messed up and there was a massive storm outside.

I spent the whole time trying to close windows that just wouldn't stay shut.

It was pretty exhausting, even though I was technically asleep.

Do you think dreams have any meaning?

I'm a bit on the fence.

I don't think they're like messages from the universe or anything, but they definitely reflect what's weighing on your mind.

If I'm stressed about a deadline, I'll inevitably dream about being late.

So, I'd say they're more of a mental decluttering process than anything mystical.

Have your dreams changed as you've gotten older?

Definitely.

When I was a kid, they were way more vivid and fantastical.

Lots of flying or monsters.

Nowadays, they're much more mundane.

It's usually stuff like forgetting my laptop or being in a meeting where I've lost my voice.

I guess my subconscious has just traded monsters for adulting anxieties.

Are there any recurring dreams you've had?

I used to have this really common one where I'd be walking and suddenly my teeth would just start crumbling.

It's apparently a super common dream related to losing control, but it's honestly the most unsettling sensation.

Thankfully, I haven't had that one in a while.

Do you try to interpret your dreams?

Maybe just for a laugh.

If I have a particularly trippy one, I might Google it over breakfast to see what the experts say.

But I take it all with a grain of salt.

It's more of a conversation starter than something I actually live my life by.

Have you ever had a nightmare?

How did it make you feel?

Oh, for sure.

The last one I had was so intense that I woke up with my heart absolutely hammering.

It leaves you feeling really rattled for the first hour of the day.

And it's hard to shake that off feeling even when you know you're safe in bed.

Do you prefer daydreaming or nightdreams?

Daydreaming, 100%.

It's much more intentional and relaxing.

You can kind of check out for five minutes during a boring commute and imagine something fun.

Whereas night dreams can sometimes be a bit of a wild card.

You never know if you're getting a feel -good movie or a horror show.

Have you ever been inspired by a dream to do something in real life?

Nothing major, but I did once dream about a really specific outfit, like a weird colour combo I'd never thought of.

I tried it out the next day and it actually looked decent

so I guess my subconscious has a better eye for fashion than I do when I'm awake.

Do you think dreams can predict the future?

I mean, it's a cool idea but I'm pretty sceptical.

I think if something you dream about actually happens, it's usually just a fluke or your brain picking up on subtle cues you noticed while you were awake.

I don't think I'll be winning the lottery based on a dream anytime soon.

100

And that was Blondie.

101

Her tone is more casual and conversational but the answers are still clear and well developed with plenty of personality coming through.

102

Now let's go over some useful language you can use when talking about dreams.

103

When you're talking about dreams, a good place to start is how clearly you remember them.

104

You might say a dream fades as soon as you wake up if you forget it quickly, or that it sticks with you if it stays in your mind for a long time.

105

Words like vivid and expressions like feel incredibly real help you describe how intense the experience was, which makes your answer sound more engaging and detailed.

106

If the question is about whether dreams have meaning, it's useful to show a balanced view.

107

You can say dreams reflect your thoughts or what's weighing on your mind to suggest they're connected to your emotions.

108

At the same time, describing them as random or saying they don't have any deeper significance allows you to present a more neutral or sceptical opinion,

109

which makes your answer feel more complete.

110

When you are asked how your dreams have changed, these expressions can help you explain that clearly.

111

Fantastical is useful for describing imaginative or unrealistic dreams, especially from childhood.

112

In contrast, more grounded and daily worries are good for describing more realistic, everyday concerns.

113

The phrase recurring dream is also helpful when you want to talk about dreams that happen repeatedly.

114

To make your answers sound more natural, it helps to include some everyday expressions.

115

Saying you're on the fence shows uncertainty in a relaxed way, while take it with a grain of salt suggests you don't fully believe something.

116

A wildcard is a great way to describe something unpredictable, and just for a laugh, helps you explain that you're doing something casually,

117

without taking it too seriously. When you're describing nightmares

118

or strong dreams it's important to explain how they made you

119

feel You might say a dream made you feel uneasy if it left you slightly uncomfortable

120

Or that it left you rattled if the feeling was stronger and lasted for a while

121

Expressions like heart racing help you describe a physical reaction Especially after a nightmare

122

And hard to shake off is useful when you want to explain

123

that the feeling stayed with you even after you woke up

124

And that's a wrap on today's part one topic on dreams

125

It's fascinating to see the different ways these questions can be answered From Finn's grounded, reflective style To Blondie's more casual,

126

idiomatic approach The next time you wake up with your heart hammering

127

Or find yourself checking out during a boring commute Try to

128

put words to it Whether a feeling's hard to shake

129

Or you're just taking a dream with a grain of salt

130

Using these expressions is the best way to demonstrate natural fluency and sound more like a confident speaker during your interview

131

If you want more practice like this you can join the membership for access to extra lessons

132

and speaking topics to keep you going

133

Thanks for hanging out with me today Hopefully you've picked up some useful phrases to describe your own nightly movies

134

I'll see you in the next episode and until then, sweet dreams

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence

IPA PracticeMaster every sound

VocabularyBuild your word bank

Vocab GameLearn while playing

Scan QR

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Same Channel

FOR YOU

Recommend Video

91 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Dream Job | Learnivo

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

36 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Music, Reading and Daily Routine

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

163 sentences

Study Abroad Dreams: Reality vs Mindset | What No One Tells You Before Studying Abroad

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepInterview English

76 sentences

🎧Listening English Podcast - IELTS Speaking PART 2-3 Band 6.5+ & Topic: IMPORTANT TRUTH

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

89 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Person Who Has Inspired You | Band 7+ Sample Answer

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

244

38 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Advice, Experts and the Internet (Band 8.0)

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

62 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 1 | Cách Nói Về WORK AND STUDY trong IELTS Speaking

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

412 sentences

Speaking Mistakes Cost Her Band 7 (Live Feedback)

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

63 sentences

IELTS Speaking Questions & Sample Answers - Habits

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

169 sentences

Day 30– IELTS Shadowing Challenge | 5 Speaking Questions with Band 9 Answers

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Dreams”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: dream, feeling, usually. This video has 134 sentences and 1667 words to shadow. The speech runs for 9:59. The speaker talks at a natural 167 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 79% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding. 22 of its 134 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
nightmare noun	/ˈnaɪt.mɛɚ/	A very unpleasant or frightening dream.
daydream verb	/ˈdeɪdɹiːm/	To have such a series of thoughts; to woolgather.
vivid adjective	/ˈvɪvɪd/	Clear, detailed, or powerful.
fantastical adjective	/fænˈtæstɪkəl/	Of or pertaining to fantasy.
recur verb	/ɹɪˈkɜː/	Of an event, situation, etc.: to appear or happen again, especially repeatedly.
subconscious adjective	/sʌbˈkɑn.ʃəs/	Occuring in the part of our mind that we are not normally aware of.
fade verb	/feɪd/	To hit the ball with the shot called a fade.
predict verb	/pɹɪˈdɪkt/	To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a future event on the basis of…
grain noun	/ɡɹeɪn/	The harvested seeds of various grass food crops, especially wheat, maize, rye, barley, and rice.
rattle noun	/ˈɹæ.təl/	Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind.
sceptical adjective		Commonwealth standard spelling of skeptical.
uneasy adjective	/ʌnˈiːzi/	Restless; disturbed by pain, anxiety.
mystical adjective	/ˈmɪstɪkəl/	Relating to mystics or mysticism.
commute verb	/kəˈmjuːt/	To exchange substantially; to abate but not abolish completely, a penalty, obligation, or payment in return for a great, single thing or an aggregate; to cash…
reflective adjective	/ɹɪˈflɛktɪv/	That reflects, or redirects back to the source.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
wake up verb	/ˌweɪk ˈʌp/	To stop sleeping; to awake.
check out verb		To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.).
come through verb		To come into a room or other space through a door or passageway.
end up verb		To bring to a conclusion.
go over verb		To look at carefully; to scrutinize; to analyze.
mess up verb		To make a mess of; to untidy, disorder, soil, or muss.
pick up verb		To lift; to grasp and raise.
pick up on verb		To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

Do you often remember your dreams?
Can you describe a dream you had recently?
Do you think dreams have any meaning?
Have your dreams changed as you've gotten older?
Are there any recurring dreams you've had?

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've been · you've gotten · you've had
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	was trapped · been inspired · are asked
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	events, which makes · was, which makes

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 41 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, don't, I'd. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: subconscious /sʌbˈkɑn.ʃəs/, conversational /ˌkɒnvə(ɹ)ˈseɪʃənəl/, casually /ˈkæʒuəli/, intentional /ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/, sensation /sɛnˈseɪʃən/
Long words — get the stress right: fantastical /fænˈtæstɪkəl/, surprisingly /səˈpɹaɪzɪŋli/, significance /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/, conversational /ˌkɒnvə(ɹ)ˈseɪʃənəl/, creatively /kɹiˈeɪtɪvli/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like nightmare, daydream, vivid.

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Dreams - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Download App

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Mobile Phones

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Library

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Parks and Gardens

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – The Role of Traditional Stories in Society

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Watches

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a boring place you have been to

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Tall Buildings and Urban Development

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Technology and Artificial Intelligence

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Boredom, Places, and Technology

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Sharing

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – High School

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Cars

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Environmental Laws and Public Policy

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Rubbish and Recycling

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Public Places

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Teachers

IELTS Speaking Part 1 –Taking a Break

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe an interesting building

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Shoes

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Energy Levels and Lifestyle

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Dream Job | Learnivo

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Music, Reading and Daily Routine

Study Abroad Dreams: Reality vs Mindset | What No One Tells You Before Studying Abroad

🎧Listening English Podcast - IELTS Speaking PART 2-3 Band 6.5+ & Topic: IMPORTANT TRUTH

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Person Who Has Inspired You | Band 7+ Sample Answer

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Advice, Experts and the Internet (Band 8.0)

IELTS Speaking Part 1 | Cách Nói Về WORK AND STUDY trong IELTS Speaking

Speaking Mistakes Cost Her Band 7 (Live Feedback)

IELTS Speaking Questions & Sample Answers - Habits

Day 30– IELTS Shadowing Challenge | 5 Speaking Questions with Band 9 Answers

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?