Shadowing Practice: My Legs Are Powerful - Learn English Speaking with Video

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304 sentences

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Hi, I'm Delilah from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

Before I continue, please hit like and subscribe.

I was two when my rich uncle adopted me and took me to his huge mansion.

I was bigger than most kids my age, but he accepted me with all his heart.

Unlike his son, Rusty.

Rusty was six years older, and even though he had everything, it wasn't enough because he wanted it all for himself.

We shared our birthdays, so when I turned three, uncle threw us a joint party.

Why does she get the bigger cake?

Isn't she big enough already?

Don't be mean.

It's Celila's first birthday with us.

Now smile for the pictures.

But Rusty just threw the cake and walked off.

I felt so bad.

I don't think he likes me.

Oh, sweetie, don't worry.

He'll come around.

But he never did.

If anything, Rusty became more bitter.

I did great at school, while all he did was laze around.

So Uncle started paying me more attention.

And he hated that.

When I was 10, I won the state spelling bee competition, and Uncle took me to an amusement park to celebrate.

I was very excited, till the operator refused to let me on one of the rides.

This is not for teens, it's for kids only.

Uh, yeah, of course, I knew that.

I just wanted to see how the rides worked.

I'll leave.

Did he think I was a teen?

I'm only 10.

I darted faster than a bullet as the crowd stared.

And after that day, I started getting more conscious of my height.

I was 13 and almost 5 feet 11 inches, which was weird for my age.

I was taller than most boys in my class.

I didn't let that get to me, but it gave Rusty a chance to pick on me.

He would call me giant, bigfoot, whatever came to his mind.

To make up for his behavior, Uncle gave me the biggest room in the house and stuffed it with gifts and toys.

Sure, she needs a bigger room, with that size.

You don't have to be so mean, okay?

I know I'm tall, but you're dumb and I never make fun of that.

Phew, I will get you for this.

He chased me for an hour but couldn't come close.

Hmm, who knew I could run like that?

I wanted to see how good I was, so I started practicing with the track team.

And soon, I beat everyone.

My long legs made me super fast.

This was awesome!

Uncle was proud, but it pissed Rusty off, and he went completely off the rails.

He failed 12th grade twice and blew all his money on his girlfriends without blinking.

One evening, Uncle had to bail him out of jail in the middle of the night for stealing exam papers.

Luckily, he was the school trustee, so Rusty only got suspended for a week.

Why do you embarrass me like this?

Where did I go wrong?

Oh, that's easy.

You got her at home, and you forgot about your son.

That's not true.

Uncle loves you just as he loves me.

Don't act like you're part of this family and never interrupt me again.

Enough!

Uncle and Rusty had a huge fight that night and a week later, Rusty went to London to finish college.

I never saw him again and he hardly called home.

I didn't miss him much, but Uncle did and it made me sad to see him unhappy.

Things went back to normal in a few years.

At 17, I was a whopping six feet and the tallest girl in school.

People would stare at me all the time and say the weirdest things.

Can you even hear me up there?

Or should I scream?

Wow!

Where do you buy your clothes from?

The tent shop?

All my clothes are limited edition, and that makes me unique, while you're just so common.

I didn't let anyone talk me down, but it still bothered me.

I wanted to buy cute clothes and wear pretty shoes, but nothing fit me.

One time in the mall, I was window shopping when a flying figure went past me getting chased by some guards.

Let me go!

I need this!

I couldn't see who the girl was, so I walked closer, but I tripped on a huge rack, and all the clothes fell on her heads.

Guards got distracted and lost their grip, and she ran away.

And I ended up paying for all the ruined clothes that didn't even fit me.

Later that day, I saw my uncle packing up when I went home.

Are we going somewhere?

No, dear, I am.

We're opening a new business in Greece, and I'll be out for a month.

But can I come with you?

I want you to concentrate on your school and practice.

I'll be back before you know it.

The day my uncle left, I felt super weird.

I'd never been on my own, And a week later, I got the worst news of my life.

My uncle's secretary told me he'd caught a rare fever and was on total bed rest.

Doctors had no idea how long it would take him to recover.

I was devastated and wanted to visit uncle, but no one was allowed near him since the fever was contagious.

So I decided to concentrate on my finals.

But after my last exam, I came home to Rusty and a girl who looked oddly familiar.

What are you doing here?

This is my home and I can come by whenever I want.

By the way, this is Gina, my girlfriend and the queen of this house.

I looked at Gina, but she ignored me completely.

Rude.

Later that day when I crossed their room, I heard her arguing with Rusty.

100

You have a sister?

101

You never told me about her.

102

She wasn't worth mentioning and she won't stay here for long.

103

Before I could hear anything else, the maid showed up and I left.

104

For the entire week, I noticed that Gina was an odd duck.

105

She stayed all day in her room.

106

Whenever she came out, she would scream at the servants and run back up.

107

One time, I was in my room when Gina walked in.

108

Empty your room.

109

I need more closet space.

110

You can't just walk in here and ask me to do stuff.

111

Get it?

112

Suddenly, she started screaming for Rusty.

113

And that's when it hit me.

114

She was the same girl from the mall.

115

Wait a minute.

116

I know you.

117

You're...

118

What is it, darling?

119

I thought you were rich, but my room here is smaller than my bathroom.

120

I need more space, so move her.

121

I'm not going anywhere.

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You are, and you will.

123

Or you can pack your bags and get out.

124

Your choice.

125

What?

126

You can't do that.

127

Now that Dad's not here, I'm your legal guardian.

128

So, if you want to keep running or going to school, stop bugging me and get moving.

129

Ugh, so annoying.

130

I immediately wanted to call my uncle, but he was too sick to bother.

131

So I kept my head low and started packing.

132

Before I left, I kept a parting gift for Gina

133

and laughed my butt off when she went around crying over her half-eaten clothes.

134

Much deserved.

135

That night, I searched for Gina on the internet, but the girl was a dead end.

136

I knew she was lying, but there was something else she was hiding.

137

Something big.

138

I could feel it.

139

The next morning, I found Rusty alone and tried to warn him.

140

Your girlfriend is a liar, and you're giving me a headache.

141

I'm serious.

142

I saw her stealing from the mall just last month.

143

Gina's family is one of the richest in London.

144

She doesn't need to steal.

145

You can fool my dad, but not me.

146

I'm smarter.

147

I need Gina.

148

Don't screw this up or I'll be your worst nightmare.

149

Rusty walked away and I couldn't help thinking about how this was possible.

150

I was almost certain I'd seen her.

151

But if Gina was rich, then maybe I was mistaken.

152

This was so confusing.

153

I shrugged the thoughts away and left for school.

154

But I was super distracted that day during practice and twisted my ankle while running.

155

I couldn't walk, so the school called someone to pick me up.

156

And Gina showed up.

157

You should've just sent a driver.

158

I was in the neighborhood.

159

Now, come on.

160

I don't have all day.

161

She helped me to the car and I tried to talk to her, but she was on her phone the entire ride home.

162

And the moment we got home, she ran to her room without even helping me out.

163

What was wrong with her?

164

For the next week, I rested at home.

165

And every time I would try to get close to Gina's room, Rusty would ask me to back off.

166

He was so paranoid that he had guards outside her room.

167

Is she a princess?

168

Why do you need so much security?

169

Jeez.

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That's none of your business.

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She's my girlfriend, and I'll do whatever she wants.

172

Buzz off.

173

The more Rusty said stuff like that, the more curious I got.

174

He didn't love anyone but himself.

175

So all this newfound love for Gina was very weird.

176

I wanted to know more, but soon after, the coach started training us for international track events and I got busy.

177

Sometime later, Uncle's secretary informed us that they were moving him to a bigger facility, and Gina threw a party the same day.

178

Guess you're very happy that Uncle's not coming back anytime soon, right?

179

What?

180

No, it's my mom's birthday.

181

Really?

182

Then how come she's not here?

183

Because she's not around anymore!

184

Gina started tearing up as she ran upstairs, and just then Rusty showed up.

185

I knew it!

186

What did you say to her?

187

Relax!

188

I'm sorry, I think I may have stepped over a line.

189

I'll apologize.

190

You better, or I won't give you permission to run track.

191

Get that?

192

I went upstairs to find Gina sobbing in her room with her mom's picture.

193

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.

194

I know how you feel.

195

I grew up without my parents too.

196

I just miss her a lot.

197

Even though she can't be with me, I throw her a party every year.

198

My mom loved birthdays.

199

Gina and I chatted for a bit and I realized she wasn't as bad as I thought.

200

I could see how deeply she missed her mom, which made me feel connected to her.

201

Maybe I judged her too soon.

202

Gina warmed up to me after that and we often hung out.

203

But soon, I noticed how she'd only talked to me when Rusty wasn't around.

204

I asked her one day, and she gave me the weirdest reply.

205

Oh no, I'm just taking a break from all the wedding preparations.

206

Wow, I had no idea.

207

Do we have a date?

208

We wanted to wait for his dad to come back.

209

Gina sounded super excited, but when I asked Rusty about it, he shrugged it off.

210

Didn't I ask you to keep your tall head out of my business?

211

Just don't break her heart, okay?

212

Whatever.

213

I knew he wouldn't listen to me, but I had to try.

214

Gina deserved better than this moron.

215

A few days later we had the school dance, and I decided not to go.

216

No boy in school had asked me out yet, and showing up alone was humiliating.

217

When Gina heard, she volunteered to tag along.

218

I don't know what's more embarrassing, not having a date or having your almost sister-in-law as a date.

219

Just keep your head high, and you'll rock.

220

I followed her advice and was having a great time, till I heard someone screaming from the other side of the room.

221

It was Gina howling at a girl from my class.

222

Don't you get tired of bullying each other?

223

So she's a little tall.

224

She's way better than all of you, including these frat boys you crush on.

225

You can't match her at all.

226

Literally.

227

I pulled her away, but she continued shouting till we reached the entrance.

228

What was that all about?

229

These people were saying weird stuff about you.

230

I couldn't take it.

231

I'm used to it, and I can take my own stand.

232

I know.

233

It's just that I was bullied as a kid and this stuff gets to me.

234

Okay, forget about it.

235

We're here, so let's enjoy the dance.

236

Come on, Gina and I danced the night away without giving a fig about anyone and had the best time.

237

And a week later, I got busy with track practice.

238

I had back to back events and the coach was very tough on us.

239

But it all paid off when I got selected.

240

I He immediately called my uncle, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

241

I was excited to tell Gina about it, but I came home to loud noises coming from Rusty's office.

242

How could you do this to me?

243

You thought this was forever?

244

Your job here is done.

245

Pack your stuff and leave.

246

Gina stormed out furiously.

247

I was sure Rusty must have backed out of the wedding, and I wanted to make sure she was okay, so I followed her.

248

I saw her enter a hospital and go into a room with a frail woman.

249

beeped around everywhere as she smiled at Gina.

250

Oh, it's been so long.

251

My darling daughter, Shelly.

252

I'm sorry it took so long, Mom.

253

I have to wrap something up, and after that, I'll get you out of here soon enough.

254

So her name was Shelly?

255

And her mom was alive?

256

Who was this person, and what did she want?

257

I had so many questions.

258

I wanted to go inside, but looking at her mother's condition, I decided to wait for her at home.

259

There, I had another surprise waiting for me.

260

Uncle was home, and he was going ballistic on Rusty over some papers.

261

Uncle, you're back!

262

How are you?

263

I was so stressed when I found out about your illness.

264

I was fine, Delilah.

265

In fact, I was more than okay.

266

What do you mean?

267

I'm ashamed to even say this.

268

But my own son got me kidnapped for property.

269

Thankfully, the police found me just in time.

270

Kidnapped?

271

How is that possible?

272

I spoke to your secretary.

273

He wasn't my secretary.

274

I went there alone.

275

Uncle sat me down and told me that someone had stolen his phone before he got on the plane, and then on his way home, he was kidnapped.

276

A few months back, Rusty had called him up asking for a million dollars, and when Uncle refused to pay him, he planned to get him kidnapped and force him to sign the company over.

277

I looked at Rusty in shock, and he didn't show any remorse.

278

Yeah, so I did it.

279

You gave everything to her, leaving me with nothing.

280

Then I met Gina, and she's so freaking rich.

281

So with her help, I could have thrown you both out.

282

You're so evil.

283

Who would do that to their own father?

284

Someone who doesn't care about anyone but himself.

285

I thought I told you to leave, Gina.

286

Call me Shelly, and I'm not your slave, and I'm not rich either.

287

Gina told us how Rusty was a wanted con man in London who'd scammed many people, including her dad.

288

So she pretended to be rich so she could date him, help him sell the company and leave with the money.

289

The money he stole was for my mom's surgery.

290

We fell into debt paying her hospital bills.

291

I wanted to get back at him, but he tried to fool me again.

292

I told the police where your uncle was.

293

That doesn't make it right, Gina.

294

You lied to us.

295

But you helped uncle and for that I'm thankful.

296

As uncle called the police and Gina sobbed, I saw Rusty sneaking out with the papers, but I grabbed him just in time.

297

Think you can outrun me?

298

Tuh, you wish!

299

Rusty got arrested for kidnapping and embezzlement.

300

Gina got called in for questioning and received a six-month sentence for helping Rusty, after which we paid her mother's treatment and even compensated other people Rusty had conned.

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Soon it was time to leave for my international track events, and my uncle came to drop me off.

302

Make me proud, haven't I always?

303

Uncle hugged me, and it felt like home.

304

Thank you.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “My Legs Are Powerful”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Gina, Rusty, uncle. This video has 304 sentences and 2795 words to shadow. The speech runs for 14:30. The speaker talks fast, about 193 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 80% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

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

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
kidnap verb	/ˈkɪdnæp/	To seize or detain a person unlawfully and move or conceal them; sometimes for ransom.
scream verb	/skɹiːm/	To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to screech, to shriek.
mall noun	/mɔːl/	A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.
embarrass verb	/ɪmˈbæɹəs/	To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely.
shrug verb	/ˈʃɹʌɡ/	To raise (the shoulders) to express uncertainty, lack of concern, (formerly) dread, etc.
sob verb	/sɑb/	To weep with convulsive gasps.
distract verb	/dɪˈstɹækt/	To divert the attention of.
upstairs adverb	/ˌʌpˈstɛɹz/	Up the stairs; on or to a higher floor or level.
stare verb	/stɛɚ/	To look fixedly (at something).
concentrate verb	/ˈkɑn.sən.tɹeɪt/	To bring to, or direct toward, a common center; to unite more closely; to gather into one body, mass, or force.
darling noun	/ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/	Often used as an affectionate term of address: a person who is very dear to one.
fever noun	/ˈfivɚ/	A higher than normal body temperature of a person (or, generally, a mammal), usually caused by disease.
examination noun	/ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/	The act of examining.
ballistic adjective	/bəˈlɪs.tɪk/	Of or relating to ballistics.
bigfoot verb		To control or manage forcefully; to exercise authority over.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
show up verb		To appear, arrive, or attend, especially suddenly or erratically.
come back verb		To return to a place.
back off verb		To move backwards away from something.
come around verb	/kʌ.məˈɹaʊnd/	To change one's mind, especially to begin to agree or appreciate what one was reluctant to accept at first.
come out verb	/ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/	To be discovered; to be revealed.
end up verb		To bring to a conclusion.
get back at verb		To retaliate against; to take revenge on.
get out verb		To leave or escape.

Sentences worth repeating

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

Did he think I was a teen?
Hmm, who knew I could run like that?
Why do you embarrass me like this?
Don't you get tired of bullying each other?
Make me proud, haven't I always?

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	was devastated · was mistaken · was bullied
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	inches, which was · Someone who doesn
Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group	the biggest · the tallest · the weirdest
Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form	started paying · started getting · started practicing

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 81 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shrug /ˈʃɹʌɡ/, examination /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, mansion /ˈmæn.ʃən/, shout /ʃaʊt/, ashamed /əˈʃeɪmd/
Long words — get the stress right: examination /ɪɡˌzæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, embezzlement /ˌɪmˈbɛzəlmənt/, furiously /ˈfjʊə̯ɹi.ə̯sli/, humiliate /hjuːˈmɪliˌeɪt/, devastated /ˈdɛv.əˌsteɪ.təd/

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 kidnap, scream, mall.

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: My Legs Are Powerful - Learn English Speaking with Video

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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?