Shadowing Practice: my Parents Divorced What A Mess - Learn English Speaking with Video

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329 sentences

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Hi, my name is Zoe, and I made a big mistake.

Now my life is a raging inferno.

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Ever since I was a kid, I knew it was my destiny to be a famous chef.

I baked my first souffle when I was three, published my first cookbook when I was five, and two days before my seventh birthday,

I won the Grand National Bake Off Contest.

I guess I got it from my mom, who was one of the best chefs in the country.

She even had her own cooking show on TV.

But my dad couldn't fry an egg to save his life.

He was mom's manager, and they were head over heels in love.

Or I thought they were, but when I was 15, my world turned upside down.

Mom ran off with a food critic.

Dad and I were devastated.

Dad sobbed for weeks and couldn't bear to leave the house because billboards of mom were everywhere.

Soon, he lost all of his clients, was fired from his company, and the bills started piling up.

How could she do this to us? To me?

I don't know, Dad, but it's been six months and the rent's past due.

Maybe it's time to focus on getting a new job.

Luckily, Dad took my advice and got a job online, but it wasn't enough to make ends meet.

I tried my best to help out by baking pies and selling them to our neighbors after school.

I even reached out to my mom to see if she could help us,

but she said she had no money to spare because she was planning a huge wedding.

I was so mad at Mom, I deleted her number from my phone.

I couldn't believe she was so selfish.

And dad often started falling sick and would mostly stay in bed sobbing.

Stupid love had turned my mom into a selfish monster, my dad to a baby, and ruined my life.

So I decided I'd never fall in love.

My plan worked well, until my senior year when I had an amazing glow -up and inherited my mom's good looks.

Suddenly, all the boys started noticing me.

Hey Zoe, wanna go to the movies this weekend?

I'd never go to the movies with you.

When's the last time you showered?

You smell like a rotten egg.

Zoe, did you want to go to the spring dance with me?

Bro, are you kidding?

Not if you were the last guy on earth.

Okay, fine.

I was mean, but I was protecting my heart.

Besides, I was doing them a favor.

Relationships are messy, and they bring out the worst in people.

After months of insulting just about every boy in school and making a few of them cry,

the rest of the kids started avoiding me like the plague.

I didn't mind.

I hardly had time for friends.

I was too focused on my studies.

I dreamed of becoming a world -renowned chef, opening a five -star restaurant,

paying off all dad's medical bills and buying us a mansion on the beach.

In the summer after my senior year, I was accepted into a top culinary school.

Look, dad, I got in.

The good news cheered dad up.

He even got out of bed and tried to bake me my favorite cookies.

It felt good to see my dad in good spirits.

But when I discovered that I didn't get the scholarship to pay for my tuition, my hopes were dashed.

Honey, we're going to get you into that school.

How?

We'll never be able to afford it.

That day, Dad put on a suit and went out to look for a new job.

A couple weeks later, he landed a position at a new management company.

He even pulled some strings to get me an internship at a famous five -star restaurant that catered to celebrities and socialites.

The owner is Miss Gina Tequila.

She's discovered some of the most successful chefs in the business.

Impress her, and she can make your dreams come true.

I was so excited to start on my new adventure, but I was in for a rude awakening.

On my first day, the moment I stepped in the door,

this boy my age named Hunter shoved a bucket of silverware and a broom in my face.

You're late.

The dinner rush will be here in 10 minutes.

Polish these, then mop the floors.

I thought I was supposed to assist in the kitchen.

I'm an award -winning chef.

I have my own cookbook.

I showed Hunter some of my old newspaper clippings and my resume.

Stop wasting my time with this foolishness.

Only the best chefs in the world have the honor to cook in our kitchen, and I've never heard of you.

Maybe I should talk to Miss Gina.

I'm the manager.

Miss Gina's eyes and ears.

And what I say goes.

You're not touching that stone.

After you've done scrubbing the floors, you can start washing dishes.

Hunter was a total jerk.

And he got even worse once the guests arrived.

Zoe, we need those dishes clean.

Bro, I'm moving as fast as I can.

That's not fast enough.

He buzzed around me yelling like a maniac.

I got so nervous I dropped a handful of plates on the floor and they smashed to pieces.

Then the chef walked by and slipped and sprained his ankle.

Oh my God, what's wrong with you?

A second later, the whole kitchen went into a panic.

The servers came in demanding their orders, but the chef was in no condition to stand, let alone cook.

Suddenly, Miss Gina strutted into the kitchen in her Prada dress and jewels.

The guests are complaining.

This is unacceptable.

Where is the food?

Hunter turned as white as a ghost.

The chef keys.

100

I don't care.

101

Fix it, Hunter, or you're fired.

102

She stormed off in a huff.

103

More servers came into the kitchen demanding food, and Hunter looked at me.

104

Zoe, you said you can cook.

105

You think you could help us out?

106

I thought you didn't want me touching the stove.

107

Forget what I said earlier.

108

Please help me.

109

I'll do anything.

110

I'll buy you ice cream.

111

I'll give you a raise.

112

I'll shine your shoes.

113

I'll clean your house for a week.

114

Anything you want.

115

I can't afford to get - Fired.

116

Deal.

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I washed my hands, put on an apron, and got to work.

118

I filled all the orders and added my own special twist on each recipe.

119

All the customers loved my cooking, and a few of them even asked to thank me personally.

120

This was delicious.

121

I've never tasted anything so amazing.

122

Miss Gina was so impressed.

123

At the end of the night, she gave me a $500 tip.

124

Just as I was leaving, Hunter ran up to me.

125

Thanks for having my back in there.

126

Sorry if I came off as a jerk.

127

You were worse than a jerk.

128

More like a monster.

129

No, an ogre.

130

An irritating mosquito.

131

You're right.

132

It's just that this job can be a little stressful.

133

Miss Gina wants things to be perfect, and I need this job to take care of my mom.

134

I get it.

135

My dad was sick for a while.

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I had to take care of him too.

137

How about we go out for the ice cream I promised?

138

I agreed, and Hunter took me to my favorite ice cream shop.

139

We hung out for a couple of hours, and to my surprise, he was a really nice guy.

140

We had a ton of things in common.

141

We liked the same music, movies, and MSA videos.

142

Did you see this on TikTok?

143

No way.

144

I watch MSA on YouTube.

145

TikTok turns your brain into mush.

146

I know, right?

147

We both loved food, though Hunter wasn't a chef.

148

He dreamed of opening his own restaurant one day.

149

And Hunter's parents had gotten divorced, just like mine.

150

After that, Hunter and I started hanging out, and we were totally just friends.

151

Neither of us had time for a relationship, not to mention love.

152

We both knew how that ended.

153

But the more we hung out with each other, the more I started to think that maybe liking a boy wasn't all that bad.

154

One time, Hunter was walking me home.

155

It was really cold, so he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

156

I looked up at him, and just as I was about to thank him for being so sweet, something inside me started to tingle.

157

Why are you looking at me like that?

158

Like what?

159

All googly -eyed.

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Oh wow, you're blushing.

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Do you have a crush on me?

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No way!

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You're not even my type!

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You're lying.

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No, I'm not!

166

Hunter stepped toward me and smiled.

167

He stared at me with his dreamy brown eyes, and I swear they were like kryptonite.

168

My heart started racing.

169

Then suddenly, we were hugging, and it was amazing.

170

At that moment, I realized that I liked him more than a friend.

171

But we never said the L word.

172

That was totally off limits.

173

As the weeks passed, my life got better by the day.

174

Hunter was great.

175

My job was fabulous.

176

Dad was even doing much better and was making more money than he'd ever made before.

177

Miss Gina was so impressed with my cooking that she gave me a raise and decided to mentor me.

178

She called me into her office and let me help her choose new items for the menu.

179

She even gave me advice on how to be a successful businesswoman.

180

It felt really nice to have

181

Miss Gina take me under her wing.

182

She reminded me of how my mother used to be.

183

But one day, the craziest thing happened.

184

Miss Gina hosted a gala at the restaurant and invited dozens of wealthy guests.

185

Towards the end of the evening, I saw Miss Gina hug a wealthy man with a really expensive watch.

186

But as she pulled away, she snatched the watch off his wrist and slid it into her purse.

187

The man didn't even notice.

188

I couldn't believe my eyes.

189

I thought I must have been mistaken.

190

But then I saw her swipe a diamond ring off a woman's finger, an expensive necklace off an old woman, and a man's wallet.

191

I was shocked.

192

Miss Gina was a thief.

193

Miss Gina caught me staring at her.

194

She rushed over to me, dragged me into her office, and slammed the door shut behind us.

195

You stole from those people.

196

No, I didn't.

197

Yes, you did.

198

I saw it with my own eyes.

199

Fine, but it's not what you think.

200

I need that money to keep this restaurant afloat.

201

And those rich people have more money than they can ever need.

202

Plus, they've got insurance.

203

They can replace anything I stole.

204

It's a win for everyone.

205

I pawned the jewelry and reinvested into the restaurant so I can pay all of my employees.

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If I didn't do this, I wouldn't be able to afford to stay in business.

207

But stealing is wrong.

208

Losing this restaurant is worse.

209

Think about Hunter, the busboy, the servers.

210

They wouldn't be able to pay their bills or take care of their families if this restaurant shuts down.

211

Life's not fair, Zoe.

212

I'm just trying to even the odds but if you want to report me, then go ahead.

213

I didn't know what to do.

214

I wanted to report

215

Miss Gina, but I couldn't be responsible for Hunter and all the others losing their jobs.

216

I'm glad I can trust you to keep this between the two of us, but can you do me a teeny favor?

217

Don't tell Hunter about our little chat.

218

I doubt he'd understand.

219

After that, things went downhill.

220

I hated keeping

221

Miss Gina's secret, and worst of all, I hated lying to Hunter.

222

It got so unbearable that I started avoiding him.

223

Are you okay?

224

You seem stressed out.

225

It's nothing.

226

Oh, I think I hear a dirty dish calling.

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I've got to go.

228

But he could tell something was off.

229

Did I do something to make you upset?

230

No, I'm as cool as a cucumber.

231

No, an ice cube, an iceberg, and a clue.

232

I don't think that's true.

233

I feel like there's something you're not telling me and it's obvious you're avoiding me.

234

You run away every time you see me and you never answer my texts.

235

Just then, I spotted

236

Miss Gina watching me like a hawk.

237

Jeez, can a girl just have some space?

238

I have my own life.

239

Maybe you should get one too.

240

That came off way harsher than I meant it to.

241

I could tell I hurt Hunter's feelings.

242

Fine.

243

I was just trying to be nice.

244

It's not like I'm in love with you or anything.

245

Hunter marched off and my heart sank.

246

Forget about him.

247

You should be focusing on your career anyway.

248

Miss Gina appreciated me for keeping her secret so much

249

that she let me handle the accounting for the restaurant and even hired me to cook for a few private functions.

250

With all the extra gigs and the tips, I'd made more than enough to pay the tuition for my first semester at culinary school,

251

and we were only halfway through the summer.

252

Things were going well, but it was bittersweet because I couldn't share the good news with Hunter.

253

Then one day, I came home from the gym and noticed

254

Miss Gina's convertible parked in my driveway.

255

I walked in, and what I saw rocked my world.

256

Miss Gina and Dad were flirting on the couch.

257

Miss Gina, what are you doing here?

258

I thought I'd stop by and surprise you.

259

Miss Gina was telling me how great you've been doing at work.

260

And your dad came up with a wonderful idea.

261

He's going to host a big event at our restaurant.

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He's inviting all his new clients and his business partners.

263

It's going to be fabulous.

264

Why didn't you tell me your dad was so smart and attractive?

265

My blood ran cold.

266

All I could think about was Miss Gina stealing from dad's rich clients.

267

What if she got caught?

268

What if she started stealing from my dad?

269

What if she stole his heart.

270

Maybe that's not such a good idea.

271

Don't be silly.

272

Oh my, I'm so thirsty.

273

Could you be a dear and get me something to drink?

274

As soon as dad left the room, Miss G whispered, don't you ruin this for me.

275

We've hit the jackpot.

276

I won't help you cheat my dad's clients.

277

Oh, it's too late for that.

278

If I go down, you go down too.

279

Your name's on the accounting statements, and if the police get their hands on those records, you'll be in far more trouble than me.

280

I had a really bad feeling, so I rushed out of there and headed straight to the restaurant.

281

As far as I knew, I did nothing wrong.

282

All I did was keep track of the receipts, but as I looked at the numbers, things weren't adding up.

283

I noticed that

284

Miss Gina had been stealing our client's credit card information, charging them for bogus items, and depositing the extra money into a secret account.

285

And she'd been doing it under my name.

286

I think once she had me sign some lengthy documents, which I now realize were bank papers.

287

I was so busy and distracted at the time.

288

She was right.

289

If I said anything, I was toast.

290

The night of Dad's event, I was on edge.

291

I didn't know what to do.

292

Dad, his clients, and all his business associates had all showed up.

293

And Miss Gina was grinning from ear to ear.

294

I felt sick to my stomach.

295

I couldn't keep lying for Miss Gina.

296

But if I said anything, my whole world could shatter to pieces.

297

As I was cooking, I must not have been paying attention.

298

Because out of nowhere, flames went up from the stove.

299

I saw my life flash before my eyes.

300

Hunter darted toward me and pulled me away from the stove.

301

Suddenly, the kitchen erupted into flames.

302

The fire alarm blared and everyone ran outside.

303

Miss Gina marched up to me screaming like a banshee.

304

You did this on purpose.

305

You're trying to ruin me.

306

No, it was an accident.

307

I swear.

308

Liar.

309

Then something inside me broke.

310

I couldn't let

311

Miss Gina control me anymore.

312

So, I told the truth.

313

You're right.

314

I am a liar.

315

But not anymore.

316

I told the police all about Miss Gina's stealing and how she tried to blame it all on me.

317

The police conducted an extensive investigation and learned that

318

Miss Gina had done this before.

319

She was wanted in five states for running the same scheme, but under different names.

320

My record was cleared of any wrongdoing, and Miss Gina was sent to jail.

321

Why didn't you tell me what was going on?

322

You didn't have to go through this alone.

323

I didn't want you to get hurt.

324

So you broke my heart instead?

325

Yeah, that wasn't the smartest thing to do.

326

Maybe we can start over, but this time, no more lies.

327

Nothing but the truth.

328

I think we can give that a try.

329

Thank you.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This speaking lesson is built on the video “my Parents Divorced What A Mess”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Miss, Gina, Hunter, dad. This video has 329 sentences and 2939 words to shadow. The speech runs for 13:23. The speaker talks fast, about 220 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. Only 79% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
chef noun	/ʃɛf/	The presiding cook in the kitchen of a large household.
steal verb	/stiːl/	To take illegally, or without the owner's permission, something owned by someone else without intending to return it.
bake verb	/beɪk/	To cook (something) in an oven (for someone).
rush verb	/ɹʌʃ/	To hurry; to perform a task with great haste, often not properly or without thinking carefully.
server noun	/ˈsɝvɚ/	A program that provides services to other programs or devices, either in the same computer or over a computer network.
ruin noun	/ˈɹuː.ɪn/	The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
dish noun	/dɪʃ/	A vessel such as a plate for holding or serving food, often flat with a depressed region in the middle.
impress verb	/ɪmˈpɹɛs/	To affect (someone) strongly and often favourably.
stove noun	/stoʊv/	A heater, a closed apparatus to burn fuel for the warming of a room.
wash verb	/wɑʃ/	To clean with water.
wealthy adjective	/ˈwɛl.θi/	Possessing financial wealth; rich.
selfish adjective	/ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/	Holding one's own self-interest as the standard for decision making.
fabulous adjective	/ˈfæbjʊləs/	Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
flame noun	/fleɪm/	The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
liar noun	/ˈlaɪ.ɚ/	Someone who tells a lie; especially, a person who frequently lies.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
come off verb		To become detached.
go down verb		To descend; to move from a higher place to a lower one.
add up verb		To take the sum of; to total.
bring out verb		To elicit, evoke, or emphasize (a particular quality).
come up with verb		To manage to produce, deliver, or present (something) by inventing, creating, thinking of, or obtaining it.
get out of verb		To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of.
go ahead verb	/ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/	To proceed with; to begin.
go through verb		To travel from one end of something to the other.

Sentences worth repeating

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

How could she do this to us?
When's the last time you showered?
You think you could help us out?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Why didn't you tell me what was going on?

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result	If I didn't do this, I wouldn't be
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	was fired · was accepted · were dashed
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	it's been · I've never heard · you've done

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 78 contractions and reduced forms, such as didn't, you're, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: wealthy /ˈwɛl.θi/, seventh /ˈsɛvənθ/, thief /ˈθiːf/, thirsty /ˈθɝs.ti/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: chef /ʃɛf/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, dish /dɪʃ/, wash /wɑʃ/, selfish /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/
Long words — get the stress right: culinary /ˈkʌlɪˌnɛɹi/, associate /əˈsoʊʃi.ət/, celebrity /səˈlɛb.ɹɪ.ɾi/, unacceptable /ˌʌn.ækˈsɛp.tə.bl̩/, 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 chef, steal, bake.

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 Parents Divorced What A Mess - 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?