Shadowing Practice: Solutions Pre-Intermediate Student's Book audio 1.37 (Exercise 3,4) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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1.37 Lesson 4C.
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52 sentences
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1.37 Lesson 4C.
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Exercises 3 and 4.
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1 Can you tell me what happened?
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It was terrifying.
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It was in the middle of the night, so we were in bed.
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Everything started to shake.
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A few moments later, the back of the house collapsed.
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We all rushed outside and stood in the street.
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Luckily, we all survived and no one was injured.
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And this place is now your home?
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Yes, we came here yesterday.
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The church has been very helpful.
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We have food and water, and a roof over our heads, so it's better than nothing, but we've lost everything.
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There's been virtually no rain in the region for the past two years.
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Normally it's very rainy at this time of year, but the last rain was two months ago.
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My organisation back home raises a lot of money and sends it out to us.
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My job is to spend it on food and drinking water, but we urgently need more.
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The government here provides some food and water, but it isn't enough.
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Politicians make a lot of promises, but they often break them.
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Hopefully, the rain will come before long.
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3.
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Did you see that fire on the news last night?
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No. Where was it?
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In California.
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Was anyone killed?
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I don't think so, but it destroyed a lot of houses.
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The pictures were shocking.
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The fire moved so fast.
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How did it start?
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Was it lightning from that storm yesterday?
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No, there weren't any storms in California.
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Somebody lit a fire in the forest.
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So it wasn't an accident?
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Well, it was, actually.
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They were going to have a barbecue.
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That was a bit stupid in the middle of a heat wave.
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Did they find the people who started it?
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Yes, they were the ones who phoned the emergency services.
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4.
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Scientists said last year that it was going to erupt.
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Well, it finally erupted a couple of days ago, and lava poured down the mountain.
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It destroyed a village, and sadly a number of people lost their lives.
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And the eruption continues.
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You can still see lava coming out of the ground high up on the mountain, and clouds of smoke are still pouring from the top.
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But it isn't as bad as it was yesterday.
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5.
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During the fishing trip, the weather was fine, mostly sunny and warm.
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The sea was quite calm, and we were about to return to the port when we saw a wave on the horizon.
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We were quite close to the shore, maybe only a kilometre away, but instead of returning home, we decided to sail out to sea towards the wave.
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This sounds mad, but waves like this are actually quite low when they are far out to sea and only become big as they reach shallow water near the coast.
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It was a wise decision as the boat rode easily over the wave.
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The wave caused a lot of damage when it reached the shore, but luckily no one was killed.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video segment offers a rich context for learners aiming to enhance their English speaking skills. By engaging with real-life scenarios depicted in the audio, students can practice conversation in various situations, such as discussing natural disasters or current events. This not only boosts vocabulary but also improves comprehension of emotional responses and community dynamics, making it easier to connect with others in English-speaking environments.

When you learn English with YouTube, you can use the method of shadow speech or shadow speak. This technique involves mimicking the speaker's pronunciation, intonation, and emotional delivery, which aids in embedding new phrases and vocabulary into your speech. By practicing alongside this video, you will become more comfortable and confident in your spoken English.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • Past tense usage: The speaker frequently uses the past tense to describe events that happened, such as "It was terrifying" and "We all rushed outside." This structure is vital for recounting personal experiences.
  • Conditional sentences: Phrases like "If it rains, we will have a chance" illustrate how conditions influence outcomes. This is particularly useful when discussing hopes and plans.
  • Descriptive language: Expressions like "the fire moved so fast" and "lava poured down the mountain" employ vivid imagery, making the listener visualize the situations better. This enriches vocabulary and improves storytelling skills.
  • Modal verbs: The use of "should" and "could" in sentences such as "We urgently need more" highlights necessity and possibility, crucial elements in speaking about needs and expectations.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you engage with this video, pay special attention to certain words and phrases that may challenge your pronunciation. Words like "erupted" and "lava" require careful articulation due to their consonant clusters and syllable stress.

Moreover, phrases such as "somebody lit a fire" can be tricky due to the rapid pace of speech. Listening closely and repeating what you hear can guide you in mastering these pronunciations. Also, consider using a shadowing app or shadowing site to aid your practice. By practicing alongside fluent speakers, you’ll refine your accent and improve fluency, making the video a powerful tool for your English learning journey.

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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