Shadowing Practice: lv03 001 Wizard and Cat 1 Once Upon a Time - Learn English Speaking with Video

This video has 44 sentences and 207 words to shadow. The speech runs for 3:49. The speaker talks slowly, about 54 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 74% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

• wizard /ˈwɪzɚd/ (noun) — Someone, usually male, who uses (or has skill with) magic, mystic items, and magical and mystical practices.
• messenger /ˈmɛs.ən.d͡ʒɚ/ (noun) — One who brings messages.
• palace /ˈpælɪs/ (noun) — Official residence of a head of state or other dignitary, especially in a monarchical or imperial governmental system.
• ceiling /ˈsilɪŋ/ (noun) — The overhead closure of a room.
• cheer /t͡ʃɪɹ/ (verb) — To gladden; to make cheerful; often with up.
• kindly /ˈkaɪn(d)li/ (adverb) — In a kind manner, out of kindness.
• sigh /saɪ/ (verb) — To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary…
• oops /ups/ — Used to acknowledge a small mistake or accident.
• trumpet /ˈtɹʌmpɪt/ (noun) — A musical instrument of the brass family, generally tuned to the key of B-flat; by extension, any type of lip-vibrated aerophone, most often valveless and not…
• wand /wɑnd/ (noun) — A hand-held narrow rod, usually used for pointing or instructing, or as a traditional emblem of authority.
• blare /blɛ(ə)ɹ/ (verb) — To play (a radio, recorded music, etc.) at extremely loud volume levels.
• laugh /læf/ (verb) — To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and…
• wave /weɪv/ (verb) — To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.
• cry /kɹaɪ/ (verb) — To shed tears; to weep, especially in anger or sadness.
• mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ (noun) — An error.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

• try out (verb) — To test (something) to see how it works or whether it is suitable.
• look up /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ (verb) — To have better prospects.
• turn into (verb) — To become.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as can't, we'll, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

How to practise with this video

1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like wizard, messenger, palace.