Shadowing Practice: Improve Your IELTS Speaking in 30 Days | Day 01 | Cue Card, Sample Answer & Shadowing - Learn English Speaking with Video
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This is day one of Improve Your IELTS Speaking Part 2 in 30 days.
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In today's video, you'll listen to a cue card and a band 7-8 sample answer.
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Then, you'll shadow the answer to improve your pronunciation, fluency, and confidence.
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After that, we'll go through the key vocabulary and useful expressions from the sample.
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Finally, you'll have the chance to answer the same cue card on your own and put everything you've learned into practice.
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Let's get started.
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Describe a person who inspired you.
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You should say who this person is, how you know this person, what this person has achieved, and explain why this person inspired you.
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Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
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She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking, responsible, and always has a positive attitude.
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Since we're family, I've known her my whole life.
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We grew up together, and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
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Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
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One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
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I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
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Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
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She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
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It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
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Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
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That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying, even when things don't go as planned.
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Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
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I believe she's had a big influence on the person I'm becoming today.
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Now it's time for the shadowing practice.
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Listen carefully and repeat each answer after the pause.
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Try to copy my pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation as closely as possible.
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If you need more time, feel free to pause the video.
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Let's begin.
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Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
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Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
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Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
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She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking,
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responsible, and always has a positive attitude.
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She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking, responsible, and always has a positive attitude
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She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking,
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responsible, and always has a positive attitude Since we're family,
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I've known her my whole life Since we're family, I've known her my whole life.
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We grew up together and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
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We grew up together and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
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We grew up together and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
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Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
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Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
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Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
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Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
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One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university, with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
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One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university, with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
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One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university, with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
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I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
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I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies,
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her job, and family responsibilities.
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I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
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Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
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Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
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Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
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She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
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She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
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She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
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It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
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It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
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It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
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Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
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Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
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Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
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That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying even when things don't go as planned.
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That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying even when things don't go as planned.
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That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying even when things don't go as planned.
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Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
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Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
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Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
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I believe she's had a big influence on the person I'm becoming today.
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Now it's time for shadowing.
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Speak along with me and try to match my pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
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Let's begin.
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Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
74
She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking, responsible, and always has a positive attitude.
75
Since we're family, I've known her my whole life.
76
We grew up together, and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
77
Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
78
One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
79
I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
80
Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
81
She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
82
It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
83
Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
84
That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying, even when things don't go as planned.
85
Overall, I really admire my sister, and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
86
I believe she's had a big influence on the person I'm becoming today.
87
Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
88
She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hard working, responsible, and always has a positive attitude.
89
Since we're family, I've known her my whole life.
90
We grew up together, and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
91
Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
92
One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
93
I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
94
Despite her busy schedule, She always managed her time well and never complained.
95
She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
96
It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
97
Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
98
That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying, even when things don't go as planned.
99
Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
100
I believe she's had a big influence on the person I'm becoming today.
101
Well, I'd like to talk about my older sister, who has always been a great source of inspiration for me.
102
She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child because she's hardworking, responsible, and always has a positive attitude.
103
Since we're family, I've known her my whole life.
104
We grew up together, and I've had the chance to see how much effort she puts into everything she does.
105
Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm and keeps working toward her goals instead of giving up.
106
One of her biggest achievements was graduating from university, with excellent grades while working part-time to support herself.
107
I know it wasn't easy because she had to balance her studies, her job, and family responsibilities.
108
Despite her busy schedule, she always managed her time well and never complained.
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She inspired me because she showed me that success doesn't come from talent alone.
110
It comes from determination, discipline, and a willingness to keep improving.
111
Whenever I feel discouraged or think something is too difficult, I remember how hard she worked to achieve her goals.
112
That motivates me to stay focused and keep trying, even when things don't go as planned.
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Overall, I really admire my sister and I hope I can develop the same determination and positive mindset that she has.
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I believe she's had a big influence on the person I'm becoming today.
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Now it's time for the vocabulary breakdown.
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Let's go through the keywords and expressions from the sample answers.
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Hardworking.
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A hardworking person is dedicated and doesn't give up easily.
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Example.
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She is one of the most hardworking people I know.
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Responsible.
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A responsible person can be trusted to complete tasks properly.
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Example.
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He's very responsible at work.
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Positive Attitude Having a positive attitude helps people deal with challenges.
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Example, she always has a positive attitude, even during difficult times.
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Determination Determination helps people continue despite obstacles.
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Example, his determination helped him achieve his dreams.
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Discipline Discipline means consistently doing what is necessary to reach your goals.
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Example, learning a language requires discipline.
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Achievement.
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An achievement is a result of hard work and effort.
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Example, graduating from university was a major achievement.
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Responsibilities.
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Responsibilities are important tasks that require your attention.
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Example, parents have many responsibilities.
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Willingness.
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Willingness shows that you're prepared to learn and improve.
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Example, his willingness to help impress everyone.
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Discouraged.
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People feel discouraged when things become difficult.
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Example.
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Don't feel discouraged by small mistakes.
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Mindset.
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Your mindset affects how you respond to challenges.
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Example.
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A positive mindset can help you succeed.
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A great source of inspiration.
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This expression describes a person who has a strong positive influence on your life.
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Example.
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My grandfather has always been a great source of inspiration.
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Look up to someone.
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You look up to people because of their character or achievements.
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Example, I've always looked up to my older brother.
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Put effort into something.
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This expression means giving your time and energy to achieve a goal.
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Example, she puts a lot of effort into everything she does.
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Give up.
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Someone who doesn't give up continues even when things are difficult.
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Example, never give up on your dreams.
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Work toward a goal.
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This expression means taking consistent steps to reach your objective.
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Example, he's working toward becoming a doctor.
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Before you go, here are a few quick tips.
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Don't try to memorize the sample answer.
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Instead, learn how it's organized and use the same structure to create your own answer.
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Make sure you answer every point on the cue card.
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Then, add a few details, examples, or feelings to make your answer longer and more natural.
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Use vocabulary that you know well.
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Clear and confident English is always better than using difficult words incorrectly.
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Now it's your turn.
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Answer this cue card by yourself and try speaking for 1-2 minutes without stopping.
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The more you practice, the more confident you'll become.
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Describe a person who inspired you.
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You should say, who this person is, how you know this person, what this person has achieved, and explain why this person inspired you.
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Before you start, take one minute to make some notes.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Great job!
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I hope this lesson helped you feel more confident with IELTS speaking.
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If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you won't miss the next lesson.
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Then continue with the rest of the videos in this playlist and practice one cue card at a time.
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And before you go, comment day one done to let me know you've completed today's practice.
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Thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next lesson.
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Why Practice Speaking with This Video?
If you’re prepping for IELTS speaking practice or just want to boost your English fluency, this video is a goldmine. It focuses on Part 2 of the IELTS test, where you need to speak for 2 minutes on a cue card—and that’s exactly the real-world context you need. The shadowing technique (or shadow speech) used here helps you mimic pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation, turning passive listening into active learning. By repeating the sample answer, you’ll build confidence, reduce hesitation, and even pick up natural phrases that make your speech sound more native. Plus, it’s a fun way to learn English with YouTube—no boring drills, just practical practice that sticks.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
The dialogue is packed with useful structures to elevate your speaking. Here are 3 key ones:
- "She's someone I've looked up to since I was a child": This relative clause ("someone I've looked up to") adds detail smoothly, perfect for describing people in IELTS.
- "Even when she faces difficulties, she stays calm": The "even when" structure shows contrast, a great way to highlight resilience—critical for explaining inspiration.
- "One of her biggest achievements was graduating with excellent grades while working part-time": "While + verb-ing" connects two actions, showing multitasking. It’s a advanced way to add depth to your answers.
Common Pronunciation Traps
Pay attention to these tricky words in the video:
- "Determination": The stress is on the third syllable ("de-ter-mi-NA-tion"), not the second. Misplacing it can make the word hard to understand.
- "Responsible": Don’t rush the "sible" part—say "re-SPON-si-ble" to keep it clear.
- "Balancing": The "a" is short, like "bal-uhn-sing," not "bay-luhn-sing."
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 | you've learned · has achieved · has always been |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | person who inspired · person who has · Someone who doesn |
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.