Shadowing Practice: My Stepdaughter Hates Me - Learn English Speaking with Video

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323 sentences

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Hi, my name is Marina, which means from the sea.

Before I tell you my story, please like and subscribe.

I was born in a small fisherman's town, and even though my parents didn't have much, I had the happiest childhood.

The sea air made me strong, and I could outrun and out-swim any boy around.

I loved going out with Dad to catch the day's haul, and I'd spin the wildest tails for Mom at night.

I saw the sea monster's tentacles, Mom, and then he just ripped our boat, ready to turn it upside down.

Then I leaned over, and I just talked to him nicely.

I figured he must get angry and lonely by himself out there.

We became friends, and he let us go.

Really?

How come your dad didn't see him?

Because monsters only show themselves to kids, duh!

Grown-ups just start shouting and hitting them with stones without listening to their side.

Ow!

Mom, can you let me go now?

It's not my fault your lovely hair is always a mess.

Just sit still.

When I was nine, my twin brothers were born, and I was excited to be a big sister.

I stayed up at night when they cried, changed their gross nappies, and I told them all my stories.

They believed every word.

Life was good, but when I was 13, everything changed.

Dad told us one day

that the town had been bought up by a billionaire who was gonna convert the whole place to a seaside vacation spot.

All the families were given some money to relocate, and even though it broke our hearts, we had no choice but to move to the city.

Dad took up a job as a carpenter, and I joined a public school.

I put on my bravest face as Mom left me on my first day, But inside, I was shaking like a jellyfish.

I just wasn't used to so many people.

The first week, I hardly looked up in class and just learned to identify everyone by their shoes.

And during recess, I ate lunch alone in the janitor's closet.

But one day, I was walking home when I saw a few older kids laughing and surrounding someone.

Just then, I caught sight of those Ant-Man sneakers, and those definitely belonged to Tom from my class.

Hey, you!

Knock it off and let him go!

Are you little Tommy's girlfriend?

Did you know he's a freak who talks to insects?

Yeah, so?

I-I talk to crows, and if you don't let him go right now, I'll summon them to attack you!

Why did I even say that?

Oh, really?

Come on then, let's see you do it!

I had no freaking idea what I was doing, but I just started lapping my arms and cawing like a horse crow!

The boys were howling with laughter as I kept cawing desperately, and then suddenly, a flock of crows appeared!

I was as shocked as anybody else!

Attack them!

Claw their eyes out, my lovelies!

Caw!

The boys ran off screaming without looking back, even though the crows weren't chasing them.

This was just the best coincidence ever!

Wow, how cool are you?

Um, so here's the thing.

Actually, never mind.

I am pretty cool.

Yeah, wanna be friends?

I am your humble servant forever, ma'am.

That's how I made my first friend in the city, and he was obsessed with insects.

But he was smart and sweet and helped me a lot with schoolwork.

He also loved hearing about my life before, and I felt less homesick with Tom around.

But soon after high school started, I came home with him one day to find my brothers having a huge food fight.

Jeez, just stop it you guys!

Where's mom?

Mom!

When she didn't reply, I ran up to her room to find her collapsed on the floor.

Tom called an ambulance and we rushed her to the hospital.

Is.. is mom gonna be okay?

Of course, sweetie.

I feel scared.

Don't be.

Everything will be just fine.

Except that it wasn't.

Mom came home from the hospital a week later, but she needed special care.

Dad couldn't afford a full-time nurse, so I helped out the best I could.

Every day after school, I raced home to give Mom her medicine, fluff her pillows, and rub her feet.

Dad worked long hours, so I cooked and cleaned and took care of my brothers, too, who drove me nuts.

But then they'd do something to melt my heart.

Like once they collected enough coins from a park fountain to order pizzas for three days so I didn't have to cook.

Mom felt better.

She'd knit us sweaters and dad would tell us stories and some days weren't bad at all.

But other days were much harder.

One night, I found dad sitting up late with bills piled up around him and I desperately wanted to help.

So the next day, I slipped out of the house and returned a few hours later.

Dad, here's some money just to help out a bit.

$500?

Marina, where'd you get this from?

I slowly took my cap off and everyone gasped.

I sold the only thing I had.

You look like our ugly brother now.

Oh, Marina, your beautiful long hair.

Why would you?

Mom, it's okay.

It's just hair.

It'll grow back.

Dad's eyes were filled with tears and he pulled me into a hug.

Marina, my love, you are the most amazing daughter.

I know things are hard right now, but one day life will pay you back tenfold for everything you do for us.

I just know it.

But the next day at school, I suddenly burst into tears during lunch.

Hey, is everything okay?

Is it your mom or...

100

No, no, I know this sounds really vain, but I just miss my hair.

101

Tom let me cry it out and then he wiped my face with his sleeve.

102

You'd look lovely even if you were bald, Marina.

103

You're beautiful inside and out.

104

I was lucky to have Tom, and I loved my family more than anything.

105

But over time, I couldn't help wishing that my life would just get easier already.

106

I was only 17, but I felt 57.

107

But then on my 18th birthday, Tom took me out to a fancy restaurant for dinner.

108

Wow, Tom, this place is amazing.

109

How can you afford this?

110

Don't worry about that.

111

I just want to do something special for you.

112

The food was spectacular, and I'd never seen so many beautiful people in my life.

113

Just the end of the dinner, Tom excused himself for the restroom.

114

As I sat there watching people dancing on the patio, a cute boy joined me.

115

Please tell me the guy who just deserted you isn't your boyfriend.

116

He didn't desert me, he just went to pee.

117

And no, he's not.

118

Phew.

119

You know how long I've been holding my breath?

120

You're kinda melodramatic, aren't you?

121

It's endearing, isn't it?

122

Would you like to dance?

123

I have no idea how to do the tango.

124

Trust me, no one does.

125

I'm Lance, by the way.

126

His smile was infectious, and I couldn't say no. He did know how to tango, and I just followed his instructions blindly.

127

When the music ended, I laughed as I caught my breath, and I spotted Tom waiting for me.

128

This was fun.

129

Thanks.

130

I gotta go.

131

I'd love to see you again.

132

Call me, please.

133

Also, let your friend know the bill's been taken care of.

134

But Tom was furious.

135

That Lance is such a jerk, throwing his money around.

136

Who asked for his charity?

137

I'll give him a piece of my mind.

138

It's okay, Tom.

139

Don't make a scene.

140

Do you know him? Who doesn't?

141

His dad owns half the city, and Lance is set to inherit millions.

142

I googled Lance that night, but I didn't call him.

143

He and I were worlds apart.

144

Plus, I didn't have time to date, but Lance somehow tracked down my address and started sending me flowers and chocolates every day.

145

Then one evening, mom had a relapse and she was back in the hospital, but the doctors just couldn't figure out the problem this time.

146

After several sleepless nights, I walked out of the hospital for some air and ran straight into Lance.

147

You weren't answering my calls and you weren't home.

148

I'm sorry.

149

I had someone track you down because I was just worried.

150

Suddenly, I just broke down and told him everything about mom's illness.

151

Lance made a few phone calls and then said my mom was being transferred to a private hospital.

152

What?

153

We can't afford that?

154

But I can.

155

Your mom will be examined by the best doctors who will figure out her treatment.

156

Don't you want that?

157

Of course I do, but how can I accept this?

158

It's too much.

159

It's already done.

160

I really do like you, Marina.

161

I'm not just chasing you for fun.

162

Let me take care of you.

163

It felt like such a relief to hear those words.

164

There was someone to take care of me.

165

The new doctors enrolled mom in an experimental treatment program, and after only three months, her illness was completely gone.

166

I can't even believe this.

167

It's a miracle.

168

Lance, thank you so much.

169

And without another thought, I kissed him.

170

Soon after, Lance and I started dating, and every moment with him was a dream.

171

Then one day, he gave me a diamond necklace and asked me to move in with him, and I said yes.

172

What?

173

You've just been dating Lance for a few weeks, but I've known him for a few months now.

174

Mom's doing well, and the twins are a bit older, and Tom, he can give me the life I deserve.

175

If that's what you want, then I'm happy for you.

176

Where will you be going for college?

177

Um, I'm not sure I'm going to college at all.

178

I moved in with Lance after high school and spent a year in the lap of luxury.

179

But then things took a turn.

180

Lance and his parents got into a huge fight and they stopped giving him money.

181

He was angry and stressed all the time now.

182

Maybe I could get a job and help with money.

183

You help me?

184

What a joke.

185

You barely passed high school.

186

So what job would you get?

187

You don't have to be a jerk, Lance.

188

I was just trying to...

189

You're the entire problem.

190

My parents are cutting me off because they want me to be with their business partner's daughter.

191

And you know what?

192

I'm not sure you're worth losing everything for.

193

Lance broke up with me and gave me two days to move out, and I felt humiliated.

194

I didn't want to tell anyone what had happened, so I went home and pretended I was just visiting till I figured something out.

195

I was happy to see my family again, but being home made me feel even more desperate not to fall back into this life again.

196

But then something unexpected happened.

197

Tom called me up.

198

Marina, I need your help.

199

I'm a finalist for this prestigious science scholarship, and I have to give a speech at a gala?

200

That's fantastic.

201

It's gonna be a disaster.

202

I hate fancy parties and I suck at speeches.

203

Please, come with me.

204

I agreed to go and even helped him pick out a nice suit and practice his speech.

205

On the night of the gala, he looked really good.

206

But the moment we walked into the building, I knew I'd hit the jackpot.

207

This place was full of rich men.

208

Tom and I were seated next to a business tycoon who donated millions to universities every year.

209

Yeah, he was 15 years older than me, but I didn't care.

210

A couple of weeks later, Tom invited me for dinner to celebrate his scholarship win.

211

Thanks for coming to the gala.

212

I couldn't have done it without you.

213

You didn't need me at all.

214

You're amazing, Tom, and you deserve a lot more than you think you do.

215

Um, are you okay?

216

Your eye is twitching a lot.

217

Marina, I'm in love with you.

218

Tom, please don't say more.

219

No, I have to say it now.

220

I've loved you since the eighth grade.

221

You just never seemed to take the hint.

222

And then Lance came along, but you're single now, right?

223

I heard he's with someone else.

224

Yes, but I still can't.

225

Why?

226

Because I'm not good enough for you?

227

No, it's not that.

228

You're too good for me, Tom.

229

And you deserve better.

230

I just don't feel the same way about you.

231

I'm so sorry.

232

Also, I was gonna tell you tonight, I'm engaged.

233

What? To whom?

234

William, you know, the guy we were sitting next to at the gala?

235

That rich guy who's like twice our age?

236

Seriously?

237

Are you telling me you're in love with him?

238

Look me in the eye and say so.

239

I don't need to explain myself to you.

240

It's about the money, isn't it?

241

Marina, can't you wait and give me a chance?

242

No, I can't wait.

243

I don't want to leave anything to chance.

244

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that money is the only thing that gives you security.

245

If you're poor, you can be forced to leave your home and you can't take care of the people you love.

246

And you can only work yourself to death like me and dad and it still won't be good enough.

247

No one can survive on just love.

248

Money can make things happen and I don't intend to be without it again.

249

You know what?

250

If someone had told me you'd grow up to be a gold digger, I would have never believed them.

251

I would have punched them in the face.

252

But I guess I was just really wrong about you.

253

I was so mad, I slapped Tom hard and ran away in tears.

254

He had no right to judge me.

255

A week later, I married William and found out that he had an eight-year-old daughter, Allison, who lived with him.

256

Well, he was mostly away, so she was raised by nannies.

257

She seemed to resent my presence and had some pranks pulled on me in the first few weeks.

258

I still kept trying to be friends and even got her an adorable cat.

259

Ew, I hate cats.

260

I'm allergic to them.

261

Wait, maybe we can name her Marina because she smells like you and I'm allergic to you too.

262

But the next morning, I found Allison sleeping with the cat snuggled close to her.

263

And then one night, there was a huge thunderstorm and I suddenly found Allison at my door.

264

I- I'm really scared of thunder.

265

Would you feel better if you slept here today, sweetie?

266

She jumped onto my bed

267

and I distracted her from the storm by telling her all the stories I used to make up for my brothers.

268

After that, Allison and I became really close.

269

Over the next few years, I grew to love her like my own and my days revolved around making her happy.

270

Then one day, I came home to find William in the main hall next to a foreign-looking woman holding Allison's hand.

271

What's going on here?

272

This is Allison's mother and she's taking her to France.

273

Allison will be living with her now.

274

What?

275

France?

276

No!

277

You can't just come and take her away like that!

278

Where were you all these years?

279

I am not going to allow some nanny to question me.

280

Allison, let's go.

281

Allison, please.

282

Wait, sweetie.

283

Is this really what you want?

284

Aren't you happy here with me?

285

Yeah, I am.

286

But Marina, she's my mom.

287

I want to be with her.

288

But there has to be another way.

289

You don't have to go so far.

290

Please, I beg you.

291

William held me back as Allison looked at me sadly one last time and left, and my heart broke into a million pieces.

292

After that, it just felt like I was living in a huge, cold house full of things, but with no happiness or meaning.

293

Something inside me felt broken, and I missed my old life.

294

Even if I didn't have much back then, I always used to wake up with purpose and people who loved me.

295

A month later, I asked William for a divorce and went back home.

296

It was lovely to be back with my family, and my heart began to heal.

297

I started looking up community college courses and part-time jobs.

298

I found one as a sales assistant in a flower shop shop, and one evening, as I walked out after closing up, I ran straight into someone.

299

Oh my god!

300

Tom?

301

Marina?

302

Okay, I'm just acting shocked.

303

I already knew you were here.

304

I just threw my arms around him and cried like a kid, and he held me close.

305

It was amazing catching up with Tom, and I felt so proud of him.

306

He was a famous entomologist now, and he even had his own TV show where he traveled the world discovering new insects.

307

But we kept seeing each other every time he visited, and I found myself falling in love with him.

308

After I graduated college, he proposed and I said yes.

309

He whisked me off to a beautiful seaside house for the weekend, but I was shocked when he gave me the key.

310

This place is yours, Marina.

311

You can even move your family here if you want.

312

What?

313

Tom?

314

No, I've changed, really.

315

I just want you, not your money or a fancy beach house.

316

I know.

317

Even when I said all those awful things to you years ago, it's only because I was hurt.

318

I could actually understand why you felt that way, and all I ever wanted was to make your life better.

319

I didn't before, but I can now.

320

You used to tell me about your childhood, and I always imagined we'd live by the sea one day.

321

Well, here we are, and some dreams really do come true.

322

I love you so much, Tom.

323

I love you too, Marina.

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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “My Stepdaughter Hates Me”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Tom, mom, Lance, Marina. This video has 322 sentences and 3071 words to shadow. The speech runs for 14:30. The speaker talks fast, about 212 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 82% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 57 of its 322 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.

Key vocabulary in this video

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

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
gala noun	/ˈɡælə/	Pomp, show, or festivity.
crow noun	/kɹoʊ/	A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles; it has a harsh, croaking call.
sweetie noun	/ˈswi.ti/	A person who is much loved.
insect noun	/ˈɪn.sɛkt/	An arthropod (in the Insecta class) characterized by six legs, up to four wings, and a chitinous exoskeleton.
caw noun	/kɔː/	The harsh cry of a crow.
tango noun	/ˈtæ̝ŋɡoʊ̯/	A standard ballroom dance in 4/4 time; or a social dance, the Argentine tango.
seaside noun	/ˌsiːˈsaɪd/	The area by and around the sea; including the beach, promenade or cliffs.
allergic adjective	/əˈlɝ.d͡ʒɪk/	Of or pertaining to allergy.
desperately adverb	/ˈdɛs.p(ə.)ɹət.li/	In a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety; recklessly.
scare verb	/skɛɚ/	To frighten, terrify, startle, especially in a minor way.
scholarship noun	/ˈskɑːləɹʃɪp/	A grant-in-aid to a student.
blindly adverb	/ˈblaɪndli/	In a blind manner; without sight.
digger noun	/ˈdɪɡɚ/	A large piece of machinery that digs holes or trenches.
endearing adjective	/ɪnˈdɪɹɪŋ/	Inspiring affection or love, often in a childlike way.
enroll verb	/ɪnˈɹəʊl/	To enter (a name, etc.) in a register, roll or list

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
figure out verb		To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
help out verb		To provide assistance.
break down verb		To stop functioning.
buy up verb		To buy the whole of; to purchase the entire stock of something.
close up verb	/kləʊzˈʌp/	To close (remove a gap) completely or fully.
come along verb		To accompany.
fall back into verb		To return to old habits; to return to an unhealthy or unhappy situation.
find out verb		To discover, as by asking or investigating.

Sentences worth repeating

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

How come your dad didn't see him?
Marina, where'd you get this from?
You know how long I've been holding my breath?
You're kinda melodramatic, aren't you?
Because I'm not good enough for you?

Grammar in this video

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

Structure	In the video
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on	I've been holding · You've just been dating
Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result	If someone had told me you'd grow
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	was born · were born · had been bought
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	bill's been taken · I've known · I've loved

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 100 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, didn't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: thunderstorm /ˈθʌn.dɚˌstɔɹm/, thunder /ˈθʌndɚ/, eighth /eɪtθ/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: scholarship /ˈskɑːləɹʃɪp/, jellyfish /ˈd͡ʒɛliˌfɪʃ/, infectious /ɪnˈfɛk.ʃəs/, shout /ʃaʊt/, instruction /ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/
Long words — get the stress right: desperately /ˈdɛs.p(ə.)ɹət.li/, humiliate /hjuːˈmɪliˌeɪt/, melodramatic /ˌmɛl.ə.dɹəˈmæt.ɪk/, coincidence /kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns/, spectacular /spɛkˈtæk.jə.lɚ/

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 gala, crow, sweetie.

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 Stepdaughter Hates Me - 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?