Shadowing Practice: Last Chance | Thriller & Adventure | Bookworms Starter | AmE - Learn English Speaking with Video
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330 sentences
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1
Last Chance Come in here, says Mike's boss.
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He is angry.
3
Again.
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Mike is a cameraman, and he works for SFX News.
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His boss, Mr. Frank, is angry with him.
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It is the second time this week.
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Mike walks slowly into the office.
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He is in big trouble.
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Close the door, says Mr. Frank.
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There is a video in his hand.
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This is bad, thinks Mike.
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He doesn't like my work.
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Mr. Frank looks at Mike.
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Are you a news cameraman? he asks.
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Yes, of course, says Mike.
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Well, this isn't news.
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He throws the video at the door.
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It's, it's, I have a three -year -old son.
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He can do better.
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Go away and find some news.
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I want a film that hits me here.
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Mr. Frank puts his hand on his heart. And Mike?
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Yes, boss?
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This is your last chance.
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Mike walks slowly out of Mr. Frank's office.
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His face is red.
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he can't talk to me like that he thinks I'm a good cameraman I'm unlucky that's all
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but I can't be angry with him because I need my job
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Mike sits on his chair and looks out of the window.
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He sees an old man sitting in his garden.
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He feels tired.
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Am I too old for this job? thinks Mike.
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Am I too tired?
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There is a newspaper on Mike's desk.
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He picks it up and reads it.
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There is a volcano in Hawaii.
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The volcano is erupting and people are leaving.
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Mike sees a photograph of the volcano.
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It looks dangerous.
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Hmm, maybe, he thinks.
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Mr. Frank walks past.
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Reading the newspaper, he says.
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Remember, this is your last chance.
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Mike feels very angry, but he says nothing.
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This is bad, he thinks.
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I must go to Hawaii and make an exciting film.
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Mike gets in his car and quickly drives home.
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He has a nice car.
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It is fast and he loves it.
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It is also expensive.
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He needs to work.
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Mike stops the car next to his house.
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He goes in the house.
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What do I need, he thinks.
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He puts some clothes in a bag and picks it up.
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One more thing, he thinks.
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My video camera.
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He picks up his camera and gives it a kiss.
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We can do it, old friend, he says.
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Later that day, Mike takes a plane to Hawaii.
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There are only seven people on the plane.
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He looks out of the window.
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Hawaii is beautiful, he thinks.
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There are big waves on the sea.
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I would like to go surfing, thinks Mike.
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Perhaps another time.
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But as the plane gets closer, the sky is very dark.
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At the airport, lots of people are running.
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Some people are crying.
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The volcano is erupting, they say to Mike.
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Why are you here?
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I'm here because I'm a news cameraman.
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A good news cameraman, he tells them.
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He can see the volcano.
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It is a long way away.
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There is black smoke and red fire.
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Is this a good idea?
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thinks Mike.
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Some news people are leaving Hawaii.
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They are getting on a plane.
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Mike talks to them.
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A girl tells him that the volcano is very dangerous.
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I think my friend
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Jenny is there.
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She wants to make a film too.
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Is she alive or dead?
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I don't know, says the girl.
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You must come with us, she says.
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You can't go to the volcano.
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I want to leave the island, thinks Mike.
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I don't want to die, but...
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I can't go with you.
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I have work to do, he says.
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Okay, says the girl.
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Look out for my friend Jenny.
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She has big blue eyes.
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Please tell her to leave the island.
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Okay, says Mike.
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He says goodbye to the girl.
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He watches the plane leave.
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this really is my last chance he thinks just
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then the volcano makes a big noise a dog runs quickly past.
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An old woman starts to cry.
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Mike looks at her.
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He wants to say something, but he can't.
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The sun is hot, but suddenly he is cold.
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He is afraid.
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I can't be afraid, he says.
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He looks at his camera and says, Let's go, old friend.
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Mike walks through the town.
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The sky is getting darker.
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The red fire over the volcano is getting bigger and bigger.
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Mike is feeling more afraid.
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In the town, Mike meets a man.
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The man is leaving with his family.
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How can I get to the volcano?
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Mike asks.
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Cars don't go to the volcano, says the man.
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The drivers are afraid.
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You must walk. Is it far?
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asks Mike.
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No, says the man.
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But the fire is hot.
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Take lots of water with you.
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There is a television in a shop window.
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It is not showing pictures of the volcano.
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I am the only news person here, Mike thinks.
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I have a chance to make the only film about the volcano.
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I must go.
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The road in front of him is very long.
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His legs feel tired, but he begins to walk.
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After two long hours, Mike is on the volcano.
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There is a lot of smoke and a lot of fire.
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Mike can't see any people.
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I must be quick, he thinks.
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Mike films the smoke and the fire.
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A big rock nearly hits him, but he films it.
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This film is good, he thinks.
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He is afraid, but happy.
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How can Mr. Frank be angry now, Mike thinks.
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He is taking lots of film.
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Another rock almost hits him.
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Mike feels hot and tired.
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It's time to go, says Mike.
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Good job, he says to his camera.
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A bigger rock goes over his head.
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I don't like this.
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I must go now, he says.
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Mike can smell the smoke.
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He can feel the fire.
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Mike puts his camera under his arm.
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He starts to run.
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Just then, the volcano makes a noise.
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Mike runs faster.
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Suddenly, he hears a different noise. Is that a woman?
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thinks Mike.
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It can't be.
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There is nobody here.
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He starts to run again, but then...
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Help!
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It is somebody.
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They need me, he thinks.
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Hello, he says.
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Where are you?
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Mike looks everywhere, but he can't see anybody.
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I'm here.
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Please help me.
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Mike sees something behind a rock.
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It moves.
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He goes to the rock and sees a young woman there.
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She can't move her leg because it is under the rock.
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Oh, thank you.
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Thank you.
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she says to Mike.
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She begins to cry.
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My leg, I think it's broken.
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Wait a minute, says Mike.
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I can help.
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He pushes the rock.
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It is too big.
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There are small rocks in front.
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He pushes them away, then pushes the big rock again.
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It moves a little.
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He pushes harder.
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It moves a little more.
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Ah!
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cries the woman.
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Suddenly, the rock moves down the volcano.
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The woman's face is white.
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She smiles slowly. Are you Jenny?
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Mike asks.
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Yes, I am, she says.
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How do you know?
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It doesn't matter now.
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My name is Mike.
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I have to carry you, Jenny. But first...
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Mike has a tripod.
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He ties it to Jenny's leg. Does that feel better?
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He asks.
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Jenny smiles again.
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Thank you, Mike, she says.
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She is very tired.
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I'm usually very careful, but not today.
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Come on, we have to get off the volcano, says Mike.
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Put your arm around me, Mike tells Jenny.
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He puts down his camera.
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Jenny gets up, slowly.
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Her leg is very bad had.
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Take it easy, Mike says.
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They start to walk very slowly.
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It's okay, he says.
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You're okay.
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Meter by meter they move down the volcano.
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They are almost hit by rocks.
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Black smoke is in their mouths.
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Hot fire is close behind them.
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But they are alive.
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Mike, wait, says Jenny suddenly.
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Your camera.
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She stops walking.
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Her face is black with smoke.
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Jenny's blue eyes look at Mike.
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Mike looks back at Jenny.
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You're more important than my camera, he tells her. But the volcano...
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I can wait here.
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You go back.
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It's not too late.
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Mike says nothing.
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They keep walking slowly down the volcano and away from Mike's camera.
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Jenny is now very tired.
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Her leg is badly broken.
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Mike stops behind a big rock.
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Do you want some water?
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he asks.
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Mike has some water in his bag.
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Jenny and Mike are both thirsty.
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They drink the water.
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Jenny begins to go to sleep.
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This is dangerous.
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Jenny must stay alive, Mike thinks.
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Don't go to sleep, Jenny.
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Talk to me.
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Where is your home?
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Tell me about your family. Do you like books?
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They walk and Jenny talks.
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When she stops talking, Mike asks another question.
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They are almost off the volcano.
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Mike looks back. Where is his camera?
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Is it in the fire?
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They are off the volcano.
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Mike sits down next to Jenny.
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He puts his head in his hands.
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What's the matter?
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asks Jenny.
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Everything, says Mike.
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I have no camera and no film.
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Now I don't have a job.
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There are no more chances.
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Jenny puts her arm around him.
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It's okay.
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Two hours later, they walk into the town.
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People come out to see them.
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Are you all right? they ask Jenny.
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I have a broken leg, but I am alive.
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She says, and looks at Mike.
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Thank you, Mike.
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He smiles.
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There is a helicopter waiting for you, says a man in a suit.
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It is leaving the island.
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You must get on, quickly.
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The man helps them into the helicopter.
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In the helicopter, a man says to Mike, Do you need anything?
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My camera, he says, but it is on the volcano.
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My camera is my best friend and oldest friend.
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Mike closes his eyes and goes to sleep.
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Mike is now at home.
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He does not want to see his boss, Mr. Frank.
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Then one morning he hears the telephone.
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Hello, he says.
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This is Mr. Frank.
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You must come to work tomorrow.
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I need to talk to you.
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Goodbye.
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The next day, Mike goes to work.
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His friends are happy to see him.
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Well done, Mike, they say.
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Thanks, says Mike.
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He is happy to see his friends, but he is afraid of Mr. Frank.
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His boss sees him.
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You, get in here.
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This is it.
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thinks Mike.
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In the office, Mr. Frank looks at Mike.
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He has something in his hands.
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Do you remember the people in the helicopter?
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he asks.
297
Yes, says Mike.
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They remember you.
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I think you need to thank them.
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He moves his hands.
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There is Mike's camera.
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My camera, says Mike.
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The camera is broken, says Mr. Frank.
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But we have the film, and it's very good.
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Good.
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He smiles.
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My old friend, says
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Mike to his camera.
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He gives it a kiss.
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Let's watch your video, Mr. Frank says.
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They watch the film on the TV.
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They can see
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Mike and Jenny.
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Mike moves the big rock.
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He helps Jenny to walk.
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Big rocks are falling out of the sky.
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The volcano makes a noise.
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The fire is red and the smoke is black.
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It is very exciting.
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Next time, remember to turn it off.
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Or maybe not, says Mr. Frank.
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This video hits me right here.
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Then Mr. Frank says, Oh,
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and Mike, we have a new news person.
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Jenny comes into the room.
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She isn't black with smoke now.
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She smiles at Mike.
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She's beautiful, Mike thinks.
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She hits me.
330
Right here.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Mike, volcano, Jenny, camera, Frank. This video has 330 sentences and 1917 words to shadow. The speech runs for 26:25. The speaker talks slowly, about 73 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 89% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| volcano noun | /vɑlˈkeɪ.noʊ/ | A vent or fissure on the surface of a planet (usually in a mountainous form) with a magma chamber attached to the mantle of a planet or moon, periodically… |
| helicopter noun | /ˈheliːˌkɔptə(ɹ)/ | An aircraft that is borne along by one or more sets of long rotating blades which allow it to hover, move in any direction including reverse, or land; and… |
| goodbye | /ɡʊdˈbaɪ/ | Farewell; a formula used to another person or persons when the speaker, writer, or person addressed is departing. |
| metre noun | /ˈmiːtəɹ/ | The basic unit of length in the International System of Units (SI: Système International d'Unités), equal to the distance travelled by light in a vacuum in… |
| badly adverb | /ˈbæd.li/ | In a bad manner. |
| desk noun | /dɛsk/ | A table, frame, or case, in past centuries usually with a sloping top but now usually with a flat top, for the use of writers and readers. It often has a… |
| telephone noun | /ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ | A telecommunication device which converts data or sounds (usually speech) into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to… |
| photograph noun | /ˈfoʊ.təˌɡɹæf/ | A picture created by projecting an image onto a photosensitive surface such as a chemically treated plate or film, CCD receptor, etc. |
| cloth noun | /klɒθ/ | A fabric, usually made of woven, knitted, or felted fibres or filaments, such as used in dressing, decorating, cleaning or other practical use. Sometimes… |
| surf verb | /sɝf/ | To ride a wave on a surfboard; to pursue or take part in the sport of surfing. |
| thirsty adjective | /ˈθɝs.ti/ | Needing to drink water or any liquid that can supply water. |
| unlucky adjective | /ʌnˈlʌki/ | Unfortunate, marked by misfortune. |
| cameraman noun | /ˈkæm(ə)ɹəˌmæn/ | Somebody who operates a movie camera or television camera. |
| erupt verb | /ɪˈɹʌpt/ | To eject something violently (such as lava or water, as from a volcano or geyser). |
| excite verb | /ɪkˈsaɪt/ | To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| move down verb | To demote |
| get off verb | To move from being on top of (something) to not being on top of it. |
| get up verb | To move in an upward direction; to ascend or climb. |
| go away verb | To depart or leave a place. |
| go back verb | To return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time. |
| go over verb | To look at carefully; to scrutinize; to analyze. |
| look back verb | To think of (past events) in retrospect (in hindsight). |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Are you a news cameraman?
- Am I too old for this job?
- How can I get to the volcano?
- Do you want some water?
- Do you remember the people in the helicopter?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | stops walking · keep walking · stops talking |
| Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around now | is erupting · are running · are crying |
| Obligation: must / have to / need to saying that something is necessary | must go · needs to work · must come |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 28 contractions and reduced forms, such as can't, don't, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: cloth /klɒθ/, thirsty /ˈθɝs.ti/
- Long words — get the stress right: helicopter /ˈheliːˌkɔptə(ɹ)/, cameraman /ˈkæm(ə)ɹəˌmæn/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like volcano, helicopter, goodbye.
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.