Shadowing Practice: She Called Us Poor - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hello, my name is Simona and I'm from Spain.
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218 sentences
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Hello, my name is Simona and I'm from Spain.
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Please like and subscribe.
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Growing up, what I hated most was when my parents argued and yelled at each other.
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And it happened a lot.
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But there were some moments when we'd all laugh together.
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Like when I turned three, Dad came home with the biggest unicorn doll for me.
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And Mom baked my favorite vanilla cake.
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It was the happiest day of my life.
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Simona, you're the best thing that's ever happened.
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When you were born, our world changed.
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Yes, darling, you mean everything to us.
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Mom worked as a secretary at a big insurance company, and Dad worked at a local store, so we lived a pretty average life.
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But then one day when I was four, Mom came home driving her boss's expensive car and told Dad that she was leaving him.
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Please don't go, Mom.
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I love you.
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Oh, my baby.
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Tell you what, you will visit me at my new house every weekend.
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I watched Mom pack her bags and drive away.
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And dad was so sad.
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He told me that he and mom were now separated.
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Months later, he took me to visit her at her new fancy house.
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And she was sitting with her boss carrying a new baby.
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Simona, I'd like you to meet your baby sister, Luisa.
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Luisa was the luckiest little baby because her dad bought her all the toys in the world.
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I liked going to their mansion.
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And mom would be so happy every time I visited.
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But soon Luisa started crying so hard for mom's attention that it became difficult for us to spend any time together.
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Once when I was five and Louisa was a toddler, Mom took us to the zoo and bought us both candy.
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But Louisa threw hers into the baboon cage, and then she started crying hysterically for more.
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She even started pulling Mom's hair, and I gave her my candy so she'd calm down and give Mom a break.
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Oh, Simona, thank you so much.
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You've always been such an understanding child.
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I hope your sister grows up to be just like you.
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Thanks, Mom.
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I just want you to be happy.
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Since mom had left, dad always tried to hide his sadness and make me laugh with his jokes and dramatic bedtime stories.
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And I tried my best to always make him proud and happy too.
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Once in second grade, dad came to my school for a parent-teacher meeting, and my teacher Esmeralda told him all sorts of nice things about me, since I was the top student in her class.
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Wow, I'm so proud of you, darling.
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You should be.
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Simona is a very special little girl.
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Right after the meeting, Dad invited Esmeralda to come with us for pizza.
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He looked really happy around her, and soon after, he started seeing her more often.
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And I didn't mind at all because she was very nice to me.
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Once in fourth grade, we went to the ice rink together, and Esmeralda showed me how to skate.
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Okay, I'm not letting go of your hand until you're strong on your feet.
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I think I can skate on my own.
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Look!
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I let go of her grip and twirled around, feeling like I was flying.
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And then suddenly my leg twisted and I fell down hard.
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I felt dizzy and I saw Esmeralda running towards me as I blacked out.
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I was rushed to the hospital and my leg was put through so many scans and then bandaged up.
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Esmeralda couldn't stop crying.
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This is all my fault.
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I'm so sorry, Simona.
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No, please, don't blame yourself.
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I wanted to skate on my own.
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Dad hugged Esmeralda to make her feel better.
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And just then, Mom barged in with Louisa.
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How could you let this happen?
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She started yelling at Dad and they both got into a big argument forgetting all about me.
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Guys, guys!
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Stop!
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Everyone looked at me and then Louisa came closer to my bed looking angry.
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I had a big concert today and I was the lead, but now I'm here because Mom was worried about you.
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You ruined my concert!
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Louisa, you can't speak to your sister like that.
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She just got injured.
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injured.
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Louisa pulled an ugly face at me, and just then the doctor walked in with some bad news.
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He told my parents that my leg would never be normal again.
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I walked with a limp, and at school I couldn't participate in any sports.
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But I still remained the top student in the class.
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And everyone was so nice to me since I'd never had trouble making friends, and I always helped them with their homework.
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One day when I was in seventh grade, Esmeralda watched how I helped some kids understand a math equation, and she was so impressed.
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Simona, you would make a really good teacher one day.
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Yes, I would love to be a teacher one day, just like you, Esmeralda.
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Esmeralda really cared about me, and when I was in eighth grade, Dad told me that he wanted to marry her.
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I was so happy for them.
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Dad even invited Mom and her family.
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This was his way of finally making peace.
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Just before the event started, I found Louisa standing and glaring at the big wedding cake.
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What are you doing here, alone?
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Whatever I want.
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This cake looks so delicious.
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Yes, it is, but don't stand too close.
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We don't want any accidents.
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She smirked at me and then suddenly, she stuck her finger out and scooped the frosting off the cake.
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Hey, you can't do that!
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But she just laughed and reached for the cake again.
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I ran forward to pull her away.
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As she tried to push me off, we both started wrestling and crashed straight into the cake.
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Just then, Mom and Dad appeared, looking speechless.
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What have you girls done?
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It wasn't me, Dad, honest.
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Mom surprised me when she yelled at Louisa.
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I'm so tired of your behavior, Louisa.
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Your father has spoiled you so much that everywhere you go, you ruin things.
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Simona was such a good child compared to you.
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Well, maybe I should tell Dad to send you back to your poor family.
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Both Dad and I were so shocked at the way Louisa spoke to Mom.
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And after the wedding, when I visited mom again,
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I noticed that Louisa was awful to mom all the time and bossed her around Because her dad gave her the power to do so mom my Prada jacket still has a stain get it cleaned right now I need it for school.
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Okay, dear Why are you so mean to mom because she never does anything right and if she doesn't listen, my dad will kick her out.
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She's our mom, don't you love her?
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Well, she loves you more, so I guess I love my dad more.
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When I tried to talk to mom about what was going on in her life, she told me not to worry and said she could handle it.
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There wasn't much I could do to help her.
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One day in 10th grade, I was studying in the school library when a boy came out and sat on the table opposite to me.
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I knew exactly who he was.
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Jared.
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He was one of the hot popular guys at school and was reading one of my all-time favorite books.
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My eyes kept wandering to him now and then, and I tried not to make it too obvious.
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But he was just so gorgeous.
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And while I sat zoned out in my fantasy, he suddenly started waving in my face.
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Hey, are you okay?
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Oh, I'm sorry.
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I wasn't staring.
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I was actually… Um… It's okay.
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used to it.
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That's why I sometimes come in here to hide away from the girls coming after me.
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My parents wanted me to be a model because of all the attention I get.
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Yes, um, you're very good-looking.
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Modeling would suit you.
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I actually like books and reading.
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I don't like being in the spotlight.
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I was so surprised because I always saw him surrounded by girls.
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I was never after him because he was way out of my league.
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But after meeting him in the library, we actually became good friends because we had so much in common.
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One day, he asked if I'd like to see the latest Star Wars movie with him, and I was so excited that another kid in school liked that kind of stuff.
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We even dressed up like the characters and had the time of our lives.
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I'm so happy to finally have a Star Wars partner.
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Me too.
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You're such a cool person to hang out with.
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He looked deep into my eyes, and then he leaned over and kissed me.
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I was so shocked because it all felt like a dream.
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And then I looked down at my leg and started doubting myself and wondering if any of this was real.
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Hey, what's wrong?
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Jared, you're like the hottest guy on this planet, and there's so many pretty girls without any issues like mine.
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So why me?
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There's nothing wrong with you, Simona.
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You're perfect.
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Jared liked me just as I was, and I learned to love myself with my brokenness.
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Life at school felt great until one day mom called me with some surprising news.
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Honey, Louisa will be joining your school.
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She got expelled from her fancy private school because she was bullying kids.
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But mom, she won't fit in at my school.
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No other school will accept her.
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Please look out for her and show her around.
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Maybe she can learn something from you.
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The next day, Louisa walked into my school wearing a a white fluffy coat and black shades.
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Just as she approached me, a group of girls snuck up behind her and spray painted her coat.
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What is wrong with you fools?
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This is Dolce and Gabbana!
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Oh my gosh, you ruined it!
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The girls went ballistic and lifted her off her feet.
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What did you call us?
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Put me down!
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When I told the girls that she was my sister, they let her go.
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What is wrong with the people in your school?
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This is not one of your fancy schools.
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And all the newbies get spray-painted.
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It's tradition.
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That's why I hated the idea of a public school.
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Poor people have no class.
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Ugh, she was such a snob.
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While I was showing Louisa around, we bumped into Jared, and he kissed me before running off to class.
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Louisa looked at me, stunned.
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Oh my God!
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How did the hottest guy in school end up with you?
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Why?
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What's wrong with me?
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Everything!
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You're boring, you dress like a granny, and you have a broken leg.
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You're just a very ugly person inside and out, Louisa.
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I'm going to steal him from you.
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Watch and see.
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I wasn't threatened by my stupid sister.
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After school when Jared walked me out to the gate, Louisa ran after us and slipped her number into his pocket.
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Before I could say anything, Jared spoke up.
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Louisa, what's wrong with you?
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I'm with your sister and I'm crazy about her.
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Please, just stay away from me.
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I smiled widely as Louisa turned red.
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And just then Esmeralda came to pick me up.
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We had to wait till mom came for Louisa, and she yelled on the phone at mom for being late.
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Hey, you can't speak to your mom that way.
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Mind your own business, lady.
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You are not my stepmother.
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Louisa was just out of control.
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I decided I was done with her.
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I completely ignored her for the next day at school.
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And during recess, she insulted some girls by calling them poor, and they all surrounded her.
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But I didn't run to her rescue.
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Hey, aren't those girls hurting your sister?
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Yes, but she can't control her awful mouth.
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Whatever happens to her, she deserves it.
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Yeah, but she's still your sister.
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Jared always had a way to make me think twice, so I stepped into the circle of girls and found my sister crying.
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Simona, please tell them to bring back my bag.
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Not until you promise to change your ways, especially how you speak to mom.
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I promise.
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Please, please save me from these mean girls.
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It's not so nice when it's done to you, right?
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I told the girls to leave my sister alone, and then she joined me and Jared for lunch.
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And to my shock, she actually apologized for being a jerk.
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I'm really sorry, Simona.
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I've always been mean to you and mom because I always felt she loved you more.
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But today, when those girls were mean to me, I felt what it was like to be the weak one.
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They've hurt so many people already.
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Well, it's never too late to change.
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Later that day, when my stepmom and mom came to pick us up, Luisa apologized to both of them too.
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And then, Esmeralda told us some thrilling news.
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She was pregnant.
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Oh my God, what?
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I'm gonna be a big sister again.
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That baby's lucky to have you, Simona.
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And you, Louisa, will be the best big sisters ever.
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Context & Background

In the video titled "She Called Us Poor," Simona shares her childhood experiences growing up in Spain. Through her heartfelt storytelling, she recounts the complexities of family dynamics, including her parents’ separation and the joys and challenges of being an older sister. Simona's narrative captures the emotional landscape of her early life, highlighting moments of happiness interspersed with sadness and the transition her family underwent. This personal account offers a rich context for learners to engage with conversational English in a relatable setting.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “You mean everything to us.” - A phrase expressing deep affection and importance.
  • “I just want you to be happy.” - A common expression of care and commitment to someone's well-being.
  • “Thanks, Mom.” - A simple yet meaningful way to show gratitude.
  • “I’m so proud of you, darling.” - A phrase that conveys pride and encouragement, suitable for family settings.
  • “You should be.” - A response affirming someone's achievement or feeling proud.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

For English learners, particularly those interested in improving speaking skills, utilizing the shadowing technique while watching this video can be exceptionally beneficial. Below are steps to effectively employ shadow speak, especially tailored for the content of this video:

  1. Watch the Video Without Subtitles: Start by watching Simona's story to get the overall feel of the context and emotional tone.
  2. Analyze the Transcript: Review the transcript to identify challenging phrases or vocabulary. This step prepares you for the next phase of learning.
  3. Listen and Repeat: Play sections of the video and pause after each sentence to repeat what Simona says. Focus on intonation and clarity.
  4. Practice with Emotion: Since the video is narratively rich, attempt to mimic the emotional delivery as you shadow. This will enhance your expressiveness in English.
  5. Record Yourself: Using a voice recorder, capture your speech while shadowing the video. Compare your pronunciation and accent with Simona's to identify areas of improvement.
  6. Use Targeted Vocabularies: Integrate the top phrases into your daily conversations and writing to reinforce learning. Use them in your IELTS speaking practice to build comfort and fluency.

By systematically applying these steps, not only will you improve your vocabulary and pronunciation, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of emotional expression in English, making it easier to communicate effectively in real-life situations.

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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