Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking Questions & Sample Answers - Habits - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Part 1.
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Do you have any habits that you do every day?
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Yes.
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I have a few daily habits, such as reading for at least 30 minutes and going for a short walk in the evening.
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These routines help me stay informed and active, and they give structure to my day.
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Did you have different habits when you were a child?
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Yes.
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My habits as a child were quite different.
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I used to spend a lot of time playing outdoors with friends and watching cartoons.
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Now, my habits are more focused on productivity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Do you think habits are important?
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Absolutely.
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Habits shape our daily lives and can significantly impact our long-term success and well-being.
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Positive habits, like exercising or planning ahead, can lead to personal growth, while negative ones can hold us back.
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Have you recently developed any new habits?
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Yes, recently.
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I've started practicing mindfulness meditation every morning.
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It helps me focus and feel calm throughout the day.
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I also find that it improves my productivity and ability to handle stress.
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Do you think breaking a bad habit is difficult?
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Yes.
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Breaking a bad habit can be challenging because habits are deeply ingrained in our daily routines.
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It often requires self-discipline, consistency, and sometimes even external support.
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However, with determination and small, gradual changes, it's definitely possible.
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Part 2.
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Describe a habit you have that you would like to change.
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You should say what the habit is, how you developed this habit, why you want to change it, and explain how you plan to change it.
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You have one minute to prepare.
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One habit I would like to change is my tendency to procrastinate, especially when it comes to tasks that require a lot of effort.
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For example, I often delay starting projects or studying until the last minute, which can lead to unnecessary stress.
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I think I developed this habit during my school years, as I used to rely on the pressure of deadlines to motivate me.
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Over time, this behavior became a pattern, and even now, I sometimes struggle to begin tasks early.
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I want to change this habit because I've realized it affects my productivity and overall performance.
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Procrastination also prevents me from fully enjoying my free time, as I'm constantly worrying about unfinished tasks.
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To break this habit, I've started using tools like to-do lists and setting smaller, achievable goals.
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I also try to reward myself for completing tasks on time, which helps me stay motivated.
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Although it's a work in progress, I'm already seeing positive results.
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Part 3.
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What is the difference between a habit and a routine?
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A habit is something we do automatically without much thought, like biting nails or checking our phones.
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A routine, on the other hand, is a set of activities we plan and do regularly, such as a morning workout or weekly grocery shopping.
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while habits can be subconscious.
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Routines are usually intentional.
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Do you think people's habits change as they get older?
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Yes.
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Habits often change with age because people's priorities and lifestyles evolve.
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For instance, young adults may focus on developing career-related habits, while older individuals might adopt healthier routines to maintain their well-being.
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How can people develop good habits?
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Developing good habits requires consistency and small, actionable steps.
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For example, someone who wants to exercise regularly can start with short daily workouts and gradually increase the intensity.
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Tracking progress and rewarding oneself can also help in maintaining motivation.
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Do social media platforms influence people's habits?
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Yes.
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Social media significantly influences people's habits, both positively and negatively.
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For example, it can inspire individuals to adopt fitness routines or learn new skills.
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However, excessive use can lead to habits like procrastination or reduced face-to-face interactions.
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Why do some people find it difficult to stick to good habits?
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Many people struggle to maintain good habits due to lack of motivation or consistency.
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Life's distractions, such as work pressures or social commitments, can also make it hard to stick to new routines.
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Additionally, some individuals may set unrealistic goals, which can lead to discouragement.
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Thank you.
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This is the end of the speaking test.
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Who Will Benefit from This Video?

If you’re prepping for IELTS speaking practice or want to learn English with YouTube in a practical way, this video is a goldmine. It’s perfect for intermediate learners aiming to boost their speaking fluency and tackle IELTS Part 1, 2, and 3 questions with confidence. Whether you’re new to the test or refining your answers, the sample responses and clear structure make it easy to follow and adapt.

Words & Idioms Worth Stealing

The video is packed with useful phrases to elevate your speaking. Here are a few to add to your toolkit:

  • Deeply ingrained: Firmly established (e.g., "Bad habits are often deeply ingrained").
  • Actionable steps: Specific, doable actions (e.g., "Develop good habits with actionable steps").
  • Work in progress: Something still being improved (e.g., "My new routine is a work in progress").
These expressions sound natural and will make your answers stand out in the IELTS test.

How to Get the Accent Right

To nail pronunciation, try the shadowing technique—repeat the speaker’s words immediately after them, mimicking their tone and rhythm. Focus on stress in words like "procrastination" (pro-CRAS-ti-NA-tion) and "mindfulness" (MYND-ful-ness). Notice how the speaker pauses between ideas in Part 2; this helps with fluency. For improve English pronunciation, practice short phrases from the video daily—you’ll soon sound more natural. Remember, consistency is key, and even 10 minutes of shadowing a day can make a big difference!

Ready to start? Grab your notebook, hit play, and use the video to practice your responses. With tools like to-do lists (just like the speaker!) and the shadowing technique, you’ll be acing those IELTS questions in no time. You’ve got this!

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowI've started · I've realized
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thingminute, which can · someone who wants · goals, which can

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 →