Shadowing Practice: Storyfun 4 Unit 6 Do whales have stomach-ache? - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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6. Do whales have stomach ache?
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My younger brother is called Fred.
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Fred's very interested in animals.
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He talks and asks questions about animals all the time.
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Fred's really interested in parrots, pandas, polar bears and penguins,
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and lions and leopards and rabbits.
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But Fred's favourite animals live in the sea.
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He has posters of jellyfish, whales, dolphins, sharks and octopuses on all the walls of his bedroom.
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Look at my picture, Mum.
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This is an octopus.
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Why do octopuses have eight arms, or are they legs?
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Why are there little cups on their arms?
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Fred doesn't stop talking when I'm doing my homework or when Mum's trying to read quietly.
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Shhh, Fred, we have to say sometimes.
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Last Saturday, Fred wanted to go to the library in town to get a book called The Most Dangerous Animals in the World.
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He wanted to get a DVD called Leopard Spots too.
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But Mum said, No, Fred, you don't look well.
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I want Aunt Jane to come and see you.
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You've got lots of little red spots on your face.
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Aunt Jane is a doctor.
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She knows all about red spots.
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Fred looked in the mirror.
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But I'm not ill and my spots aren't scary and they don't hurt, he said.
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Do you know, Mum, leopards have spots and there's a kind of dog called a damation that has hundreds of spots too.
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Yes, I know, Mum said.
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When Aunt Jane saw Fred, she asked, Have you got any spots on your body,
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on your back, your shoulders or arms?
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No, Fred said.
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Octopuses have got eight arms.
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Did you know that, Aunt Jane?
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They've got three hearts too. Have they?
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Aunt Jane said.
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Can I look in your ears now?
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And do you know, Aunt Jane, a blue whale is the biggest animal in the world.
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Fred said.
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Yes, Fred, Aunt Jane answered.
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But can I look in your eyes now?
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That's right.
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Look up.
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Good and down.
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And dolphins are the cleverest animals in the sea.
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Fred said.
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Hmm.
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Aunt Jane said.
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Have you got a cold or a cough?
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No. Fred answered and started talking again.
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Sharks are the most dangerous kind of fish.
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When a shark loses a tooth, they can't go to the dentist, but it's OK.
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Another tooth grows.
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Do you think sharks have toothaches sometimes?
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Fred, stop talking, please.
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I want to look in your mouth now.
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Say, ah.
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Ah, Fred said, and then started talking again.
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And dolphins are good at bouncing balls on their heads.
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Do you think they have headaches sometimes?
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I don't know, Fred, Aunt Jane said.
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Then she smiled at him and said, Well, you haven't got a temperature, but you need some medicine and you mustn't go shopping today.
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You can go to the shopping centre to get your book and DVD on Monday.
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Okay?
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Aunt Jane opened a bottle of green medicine and put some on a spoon.
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Fred didn't like medicine.
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He stopped talking because he didn't want to open his mouth.
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You must open your mouth now, please, Fred, Aunt Jane said.
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But Fred didn't open his mouth.
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Aunt Jane had a clever idea.
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Do you think whales have stomachaches sometimes, Fred? she asked.
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Fred started to say, When Fred did that, Aunt Jane quickly put the medicine into his open mouth.
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Oh, that's horrible, Fred said, but then he smiled.
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Hey, I like this medicine a lot.
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It's the nicest medicine in the world.
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Can I have some more?
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Aunt Jane laughed.
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No, she said.
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You can have a glass of orange juice, Mum said.
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But then Fred started talking again Whales don't drink orange juice But they do have stomachache,
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I think They have very big stomachs Do you know they eat...
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Shhh, Fred, I said Shhh, Fred, Mum said And...
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Shhh, Fred, Aunt Jane said you

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will enhance your English speaking practice by exploring a fun and engaging conversation about animals, particularly marine life such as whales, sharks, and octopuses. You'll learn how to express curiosity and share knowledge in English while practicing pronunciation and intonation. This lesson offers an opportunity to not only understand animal-related vocabulary but also to grasp the context in which these words are commonly used. By the end of the lesson, you'll feel more confident in discussing your favorite animals and their intriguing characteristics.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Stomach ache: A pain in the belly; often referred to when talking about health issues.
  • Octopus: A sea creature known for its eight arms and intelligence.
  • Whale: The largest marine animal, often discussed in terms of its size and behavior.
  • Spots: Marks or blemishes, commonly referred to in the context of animal patterns.
  • Dolphins: Intelligent marine mammals known for their playful nature.
  • Shark: A type of fish often described as being dangerous in the ocean.
  • Curiosity: A strong desire to learn or know more about something.
  • Library: A place where books and resources are available for reading and borrowing.

Practice Tips

To effectively practice your speaking skills with this video, try the shadowspeak technique. As you watch the video, pay close attention to the speed and tone of the conversation. Here are a few tailored tips:

  • Watch and Repeat: Play the video in short segments. After each segment, pause and repeat the sentences. Focus on mimicking the natural rhythm and intonation of the speakers.
  • Break it Down: If a sentence feels too long or difficult, break it into smaller parts. Repeat each part several times before moving on to the next.
  • Use Your Voice: Don't just read along; speak out loud! This will help you gain confidence in your ability to express your thoughts in English.
  • Ask yourself questions: Following Fred's curiosity about animals, practice responding to hypothetical questions in English. For example, "What do you think whales eat?"
  • Engage with the Content: Try to relate the information presented to your own experiences or knowledge. This will make the content more relevant and easier to recall.

As you practice, remember that improved speaking skills can be achieved through consistent effort and engagement. Use this lesson to learn English with YouTube and enrich your vocabulary while exploring the fascinating world of animals.

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.