Shadowing Practice: Phát âm chuẩn - Anh ngữ đặc biệt: Mummies and Colon Cancer (VOA) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
From VOA Learning English, this is the Science Report.
⏸ Paused
24 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
From VOA Learning English, this is the Science Report.
2
Colon cancer kills about 700,000 people a year worldwide.
3
The disease can be treated successfully when found early.
4
However, scientists have also identified genetic mutations or changes in the gene's structure connected to the disease.
5
Researchers at Tel Aviv University are studying the history of colon cancer.
6
Microbiologist Rina Arbisfeld is with the university.
7
She wanted to know how genetic mutations and developing colon cancer are related.
8
To help her research, Arbisfeld turned to a surprising source,
9
Hungarian mummies, discovered in 1994 in a church repair project.
10
These dead bodies rested in a cool,
11
dry climate for more than two and a half centuries.
12
Their fluids and organs were found intact.
13
This means the mummies have tissue that could be tested for evidence of disease.
14
Arbisfeld and her team separated genetic samples from 22 mummies.
15
Then they looked at patterns in the genetic material to search for mutations.
16
She says that after many tries her team found one specific mutation in a gene called APC.
17
This gene is important.
18
Arbusfeld explains that the APC gene is the guard for the development of cancer.
19
This information led Arbisfeld to a theory.
20
She says if our ancestors with this genetic mutation for colon cancer lived long enough,
21
they would have developed the disease.
22
Arbisfeld says her next step is to test genetic samples from other sources.
23
She says understanding the genetic past of a disease can help handle its future.
24
For VOA Learning English, I'm Lucia Malanig.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

Why practice speaking with this video?

This video from VOA Learning English not only provides valuable information about an important health topic—colon cancer—but also serves as an excellent resource for english speaking practice. Engaging with the content allows learners to familiarize themselves with scientific vocabulary, develop their listening skills, and enhance their pronunciation. By mimicking the speaker, you can practice shadow speak, which helps build fluency and confidence in speaking English.

Moreover, the significant statistics shared in the video, such as "Colon cancer kills about 700,000 people a year worldwide," are impactful statements that can be used for discussions. Engaging in conversations about healthcare issues can also prepare you for topics that may arise in an IELTS speaking practice test, improving your ability to articulate thoughts coherently.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

In the transcript, several grammatical structures and expressions stand out that are useful for learners:

  • Passive Voice: "Colon cancer kills about 700,000 people a year." This usage emphasizes the action rather than the subject, a common structure in scientific writing.
  • Causal Clauses: "if our ancestors with this genetic mutation... would have developed the disease." This conditional structure is critical for discussing hypothetical situations, an essential skill for advanced English speakers.
  • Quantitative Language: "the mummies have tissue that could be tested for evidence of disease." Here, the use of modal verbs enhances the level of speculation, which is essential for nuanced discussions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you engage with the video, pay careful attention to these tricky pronunciations:

  • Mutation: /mjuːˈteɪʃən/ - The stress on the second syllable can be difficult for learners.
  • Colon: /ˈkoʊlən/ - Ensure you pronounce it correctly to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
  • Microbiologist: /ˌmaɪkroʊbaɪˈɑlədʒɪst/ - This lengthy word can challenge many speakers, so practice is essential.

By focusing on these common pitfalls, you enhance your shadow speech skills and improve clarity in your spoken English. Don't hesitate to pause the video and repeat phrases aloud, integrating them into your english speaking practice.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee