Shadowing Practice: Podcast 1: Daily Routine part 1 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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Hello, and welcome back to Talk Sophia.
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Hello, and welcome back to Talk Sophia.
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I'm Jack.
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And I'm Emma.
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We're here to help you improve your conversational English in a fun and natural way.
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That's right.
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Today we're talking about daily routines.
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This is super important because when you meet new people,
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they often ask about your day or your schedule.
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It's one of the most common conversation topics in English.
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Exactly.
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Whether you're talking to a colleague at work,
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making new friends, or even doing a job interview,
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knowing how to describe your daily routine clearly is really useful.
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Plus, it helps you practice basic present tense,
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which is the foundation of English.
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So if you find this video helpful,
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please give it a thumbs up.
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It really helps us a lot.
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And don't forget to subscribe to our channel if you haven't already.
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Yes, hit that subscribe button and turn on the notification bell so you never miss our new lessons.
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We post new videos every week.
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Alright, let's get started with today's conversation.
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Hey Jack, how are you doing today?
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Hi Emma.
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I'm feeling pretty good actually.
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A little tired but good.
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I stayed up late last night watching a movie.
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Oh really?
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What movie?
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It was an old comedy.
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I can't even remember the name now.
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I just kept watching because I couldn't sleep.
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How about you?
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How are you today?
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I'm doing great.
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I had a really productive morning.
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I woke up early, went for a run,
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and had a nice breakfast.
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So I'm feeling energized.
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Wow, you're making me feel lazy.
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A run in the morning?
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I can barely get out of bed.
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It's not easy, but once you start, it feels good.
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So what did you do this weekend?
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Anything interesting?
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Well, Saturday was pretty relaxing.
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I slept in until almost noon, which was amazing.
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Then I met some friends for lunch.
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We went to that new burger place downtown.
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Have you been there?
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Not yet, but I've heard it's good.
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It's delicious.
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After that, I just went home and played video games for a few hours.
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Very exciting life, right?
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Hey, relaxing weekends are important too.
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Sunday, I visited my parents.
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We had a big family dinner.
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My mom made her special pasta.
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That sounds nice.
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I love family dinners.
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Speaking of daily activities and schedules,
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that actually connects perfectly to today's topic.
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You're right.
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We're talking about daily routines today,
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and I think this is something everyone can relate to because we all have our own routines,
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even if they're very different.
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Exactly.
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Some people are morning people,
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like Emma, and some people are,
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well, not morning people, like me.
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So, Jack, let's start from the beginning of the day.
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What time do you usually wake up on a normal weekday?
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Oh, that's a tough question to start with.
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I usually wake up around 7.30 in the morning,
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but I don't get out of bed until maybe 7.45 or even 8 o'clock.
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Why do you wait so long?
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I hit the snooze button.
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You know, that button on your alarm clock that gives you 10 more minutes of sleep.
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I hit it at least three times every morning.
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Jack, that's not good for you.
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I read that hitting snooze actually makes you more tired during the day.
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I know, I know.
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But it feels so good to sleep those extra few minutes.
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What about you, Emma?
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What time do you wake up?
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I wake up at 6 o'clock every morning,
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and I get up immediately.
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I don't hit snooze.
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6 o'clock?
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That's so early.
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How do you do it?
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Well, I go to bed early, too.
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I usually go to bed around 10 or 10.30 at night,
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so I get about 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep.
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That's enough for me.
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I go to bed late,
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usually around midnight or sometimes even one in the morning.
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That's why I can't wake up early.
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You should try going to bed earlier.
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It might change your life.
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Maybe.
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So what's the first thing you do after you wake up?
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The very first thing?
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I turn off my alarm, of course.
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Then I open the curtains to let the sunlight in.
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After that, I drink a big glass of water.
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It helps wake up my body.
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Water first thing in the morning?
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I go straight to coffee.
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Coffee is good, but water is better for you first.
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Then I make my bed.
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It only takes two minutes,
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but it makes me feel organized and productive.
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I never make my bed.
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I just leave it messy until night when I sleep again.
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Why make it if you're just going to mess it up later?
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Because it sets a good tone for your day.
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When your room looks neat, you feel more motivated.
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Anyway, after I make my bed,
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I do some light stretching for about five minutes.
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Stretching in the morning?
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Yes.
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It wakes up your muscles.
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You should try it.
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Then I get dressed and go for my morning run.
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I usually run for 30 minutes,
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from about 6.30 to 7.
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30 minutes of running before work?
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Emma, you're a superhero.
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I can barely walk to the bathroom in the morning.
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Stop exaggerating.
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It's not that hard once you build the habit.
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What do you do after you finally get out of bed?
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Well, let me think.
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After I get up, I go to the bathroom,
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I brush my teeth, wash my face, and take a shower.
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That's the most important part of my morning because the shower wakes me up.
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How long is your shower?
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Maybe 15 to 20 minutes.
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I like long, hot showers.
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They help me think and plan my day.
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20 minutes?
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That's a long time.
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I take quick showers, maybe 7 or 8 minutes.
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Really?
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How do you shower so fast?
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I don't waste time.
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I just wash and get out.
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But Everyone is different.
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So after your shower, what do you do?
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Then I get dressed.
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I usually spend way too much time deciding what to wear.
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I stand in front of my closet for like 10 minutes.
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10 minutes?
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Just to choose clothes?
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I can never decide.
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Should I wear the blue shirt or the gray one?
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Should I wear jeans or pants?
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It's a real struggle every morning.
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That's funny.
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I prepare my clothes the night before,
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so I don't have to think about it in the morning.
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That's actually a smart idea.
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I should do that.
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Okay, so after I get dressed,
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I go to the kitchen.
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First, I make coffee.
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I can't function without coffee.
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How do you make your coffee?
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I have a coffee machine.
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I just put in a coffee pod,
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press a button, and wait.
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It's very easy.
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While the coffee's making, I usually check my phone.
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I look at messages, emails, news.
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I try not to check my phone first thing in the morning.
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It can wait until after breakfast.
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That's probably healthier, but I'm addicted to my phone.
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Then I make breakfast, but it's usually something simple.
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Maybe toast with butter and jam or cereal with milk.
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Do you eat breakfast every day?
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Most days, yes, but sometimes if I wake up too late,
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I skip breakfast and just grab something on the way to work.
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What about you?
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What do you eat for breakfast?
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I always eat breakfast.
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After my run, I come home and make a quick shower.
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Then I make a healthy breakfast.
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Usually I eat oatmeal with fruits and nuts.
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Sometimes I add honey.
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Oatmeal?
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That sounds boring.
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It's not boring.
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It's delicious and gives me energy for the whole morning.
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I also drink coffee, but I have it with my breakfast, not before.
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Fair enough.
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So what time do you leave for work?
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I leave my apartment at 8 o'clock sharp.
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My work starts at 9,
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and it takes me about 45 minutes to get there.
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How do you get to work?
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I take the subway.
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It's fast and reliable.
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I usually read a book or listen to a podcast during my commute.
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It's nice, quiet time.
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I drive to work.
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I leave around 8.30 because my work also starts at 9.
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But I live closer.
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It only takes me 20 minutes by car.
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Do you listen to anything while you drive?
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Yeah, I listen to music or sometimes a comedy podcast.
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It makes the drive more enjoyable.
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Traffic can be annoying, so I need something to keep me entertained.
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That makes sense.
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So let's talk about work time.
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What do you usually do when you first arrive at work?
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When I get to the office,
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the first thing I do is say good morning to my colleagues.
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Then I go to my desk,
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turn on my computer, and make another cup of coffee.
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Another coffee?
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That's your second one.
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Sometimes third.
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I told you I'm addicted.
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Then I check my emails and make a to-do list for the day.
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I write down all the tasks I need to finish.
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That's good.
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I do the same thing.
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Making a to-do list helps you stay organized and productive.
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Exactly.
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Then I start working on my most important tasks.
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I try to do the difficult work in the morning when my brain is fresh.
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Well, as fresh as it can be.
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That's actually the right approach.
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So when do you take your lunch break?
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I take lunch at around 12.30 or 1 o'clock.
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It depends on how busy I am.
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Sometimes, if I have a lot of work,
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I eat lunch at my desk while I work.
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You shouldn't do that.
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Lunch breaks are important.
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You need to rest your mind.
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I know, I know.
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But sometimes there's no choice.
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When I do take a proper break,
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I usually go to a restaurant near the office with my co-workers,
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or I bring lunch from home.
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What do you usually eat for lunch?
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It varies.
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Sometimes a sandwich, sometimes a salad,
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sometimes leftover dinner from the night before.
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What about you?
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I always bring lunch from home.
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I prepare it the night before or in the morning before I leave.
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Usually I bring a salad with chicken or a rice bowl with vegetables.
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You're so organized.
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I wish I could be like that.
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It just takes practice and habit.
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After lunch, do you feel sleepy?
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Yes, every single day.
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Around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, I get so tired.
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I want to take a nap,
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but I can't because I'm at work.
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That's called the afternoon slump.
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It happens to everyone.
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I usually drink some tea or take a short walk around the office to wake myself up.
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I drink more coffee.
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Probably not the healthiest solution.
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Probably not.
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So what time do you finish work?
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I usually finish at 5.30 or 6 o'clock,
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sometimes later if I have a deadline.
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Then I drive home, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
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I finish at the same time, around 5.30.
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Then I take the subway home.
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When I get home, what time is it usually?
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About 6.30.
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And what's the first thing you do when you get home?
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I change into comfortable clothes immediately.
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Work clothes are nice, but they're not comfortable for relaxing.
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I put on sweatpants and a t-shirt.
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Same.
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I call them my home clothes.
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So comfortable.
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Then I start preparing dinner.
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I usually cook something healthy,
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maybe grilled chicken with vegetables or pasta with tomato sauce or stir-fried rice.
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How long does it take you to cook dinner?
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About 30 to 40 minutes.
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I like cooking.
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I find it relaxing after a long day of work.
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Do you cook dinner?
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Sometimes, but I'm not a great cook.
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My meals are pretty simple.
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Sometimes I just order food delivery because I'm too tired to cook.
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Food delivery is convenient, but it's expensive and not always healthy.
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I know, I know.
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You're right.
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When I do cook, I make simple things like spaghetti,
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fried eggs with rice, or I heat up frozen food in the microwave.
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Frozen food is okay occasionally.
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So what do you do after dinner?
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After I eat, I wash the dishes.
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I hate washing dishes, but it has to be done.
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Then I usually watch TV or play video games for a couple of hours.
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What shows do you watch?
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All kinds.
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Comedy shows, action series, sometimes documentaries.
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It helps me relax and forget about work stress.
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What do you do after dinner?
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I also wash the dishes first.
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Then I have several things I like to do.
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Sometimes I read a book,
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sometimes I watch a show,
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sometimes I call my family or friends to chat.
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That's nice.
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Do you do anything else in the evening?
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Yes.
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Three times a week I do yoga for about 30 minutes.
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It helps me stretch my muscles and clear my mind before bed.
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You really love exercise, don't you?
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I do.
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It makes me feel good.
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I also prepare things for the next day.
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I pack my lunch, choose my clothes, and organize my bag.
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That way my morning is less stressful.
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That's very smart.
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I should really start doing that.
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You should.
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It saves so much time.
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So, what time do you usually start getting ready for bed?
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Around 11 or 11.30.
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I brush my teeth, wash my face,
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and sometimes take another shower if I feel like it.
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I start my bedtime routine at 9.30.
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I like to have a slow, calm evening.
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I brush my teeth, wash my face,
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and put on my pajamas.
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9.30?
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That's so early!
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Not if you wake up at 6.
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I also like to read for 20 or 30 minutes before I sleep.
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It helps me feel sleepy and relaxed.
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I usually scroll through my phone in bed.
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I look at social media,
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watch short videos, or read articles.
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That's bad for your sleep.
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The blue light from your phone keeps your brain awake.
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You should read a paper book instead.
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You're probably right.
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I've heard that before, but it's such a hard habit to break.
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I understand.
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So what time do you actually fall asleep?
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Midnight or later.
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Sometimes 1 in the morning if I'm really into something on my phone or if I start watching a show.
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And then you have to wake up at 7.30.
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That's not enough sleep, Jack.
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I know.
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That's why I'm always tired.
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I really need to fix my schedule.
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Yes, you do.
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I fall asleep by 10.30 at the latest.
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Eight hours of sleep is really important for your health and energy.
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You're right.
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Your routine sounds much healthier than mine.
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But to be honest, I'm not sure I could wake up at 6 a.m every day.
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It's all about habit it.
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If you did it for two weeks, it would become normal.
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Maybe I'll try it someday.
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But I do want to ask,
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do you follow this exact routine every single day, even on weekends?
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Weekends are a little different.
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I still wake up early,
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but maybe at 7 or 7.30 instead of 6.
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And I don't go for a run.
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I relax more, but I still keep a similar structure.
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I completely change my routine on weekends.
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I sleep until 10 or 11,
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I stay up late, and I don't really plan anything.
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It's my time to be lazy.
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Everyone needs rest, but having some structure,
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even on weekends, can be good for you.
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True.
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So, I think we've covered pretty much the whole day,
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from waking up to going to sleep.
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We did, and I hope our viewers learned a lot about how to talk about their own daily routines in English.
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You know, Jack, while we were talking,
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we used many useful words and phrases that are really important for describing daily routines.
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Why practice speaking with this video?
Engaging with the "Daily Routine part 1" video is an excellent way to improve your conversational skills in English. This video covers a common topic in everyday interactions—talking about daily routines—which makes it highly relevant for various scenarios. Whether you're in a casual chat with a friend, networking with colleagues, or preparing for a job interview, being able to describe your daily activities clearly will empower you to connect with others effectively.
As you listen to Jack and Emma discuss their routines, take note of their natural speaking patterns, intonations, and expressions. By mimicking their speech through a method called shadow speech, you not only improve your English pronunciation but also develop a deeper understanding of how to structure your thoughts in real-time conversations. Using a shadowing app can also help facilitate this learning process.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
In this video, you’ll notice several key structures and expressions that are widely used in daily conversations:
- Present Simple Tense: This is a fundamental aspect of English used to describe daily routines. For example, "I wake up early," or "I had a nice breakfast." These sentences highlight the use of the present tense to communicate habitual actions.
- Questions and Responses: The way Jack and Emma exchange inquiries, such as "How are you today?" is a fantastic model for developing your conversational skills. Practicing asking and answering these types of questions can help you engage in meaningful conversations.
- Descriptive Language: Phrases like "feeling energized" and "a productive morning" demonstrate how descriptive language enhances your dialogue. Using adjectives effectively can make your conversations more vibrant and engaging.
- Time Expressions: Expressions like "this weekend" and "in the morning" are essential for mentioning when activities take place, helping you structure your conversations more clearly.
Common Pronunciation Traps
While practicing, pay attention to some tricky words and phrases that may pose pronunciation challenges:
- Productive: This word can be difficult to pronounce correctly, as the 'prod' sound may slip into other similar-sounding words. Focus on stressing the first syllable: PROD-uctive.
- Energized: Ensure that you clearly articulate each syllable when you say this word, emphasizing the 'ner' to avoid sounding rushed: EN-er-gized.
- Comedic: The pronunciation of "comedy" and its derivatives can differ based on accent. In British English, it is pronounced with a short 'o,' while in American English, it often has a softer 'a' sound.
In summary, make the most of this video to improve your English pronunciation, learn key conversational phrases, and develop your confidence in speaking. Remember to use the principles of shadowing, whether in person or through a methodical shadowing app. Each practice will bring you closer to fluency.
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.
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