Shadowing Practice: Successful Girl FIRED For Being PREGNANT - Learn English Speaking with Video
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360 sentences
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1
Take a sweat.
2
What?
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Oh my gosh!
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Congrats!
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Ah!
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Thank you.
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I'm so unhappy for you.
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Have you like told your husband about it?
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No, not yet.
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You're the first person to know.
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Well, he's gonna be like so like happy.
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Hi Bella.
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Can I see you in my office?
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Mm -hmm.
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Do you think it's about that promotion?
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I hope so.
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More money's going to be necessary for a new baby.
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Well, good luck in there.
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Thanks.
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Please, have a seat.
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So, what am I here for?
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I want to talk to you about your future with this company.
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This is it!
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I'm getting that promotion!
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However, there is a slight problem.
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A problem?
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Yes.
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Look, you're one of our elite employees.
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The best of the best.
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So there is a promotion with your name on it, but you're gonna have to dedicate a lot of time to get this position
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Of course, and I'm ready for any challenge that you throw at me
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And I love your enthusiasm, but clearly there's something else that's gonna occupy your time
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Oh, you're talking about my pregnancy
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Well, I'm not due for another eight months, so I can still fulfill any duties that you need me to Okay,
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but what happens when you give birth?
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I mean, clearly the little grimmel is going to need a lot of mommy time.
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Well, obviously I'm going to need to take maternity leave.
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But after I've taken my leave, I can jump right back into it.
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I don't think you understand.
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To get this promotion, you're going to have to dedicate 100 % of your time to this company.
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That means you can't play house and be successful at the same time.
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So you're going to have to make a choice.
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A choice.
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I just hope you come to your senses and make the right one.
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I'll give you time to think about it.
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Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to.
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I can't believe it.
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He's making me choose between this baby and my promotion.
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I've dedicated so much of my career to this job, but I've always wanted to be a mother, and now seems like the perfect opportunity.
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But maybe I can't have a kid just yet.
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What am I going to tell my husband?
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Hi, my sweet, beautiful, honey bunny, wifey lifey, double sugar wooger bear.
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Hey, August.
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So how are you feeling?
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Did you get the promotion?
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No, but I am being considered for it.
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Okay, well that's awesome.
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Let's drink to that.
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Actually, I can't drink.
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What?
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Why not?
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You never turn down a good drink.
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I have a headache, so I think I'm just going to stick to water.
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Oh, okay.
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We can save it for the actual promotion.
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Well, I guess I could drink if I chose to do it.
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What was that?
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Nothing.
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I'm just thinking out loud.
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Sorry, why don't you just take it easy?
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You seem like you had a long day.
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Why don't I make dinner tonight?
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That would be lovely.
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Thank you.
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Okay.
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Well, I was thinking about making some carbonara for my hot and sexy capybara
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Barbie doll here.
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That sounds amazing.
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Thank you, honey.
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Yeah, of course.
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Oh, what do I do?
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August and I really want children.
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But that promotion would make it easier for us to raise a child.
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I'm making the right choice.
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I have to be.
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So did you take care of the problem?
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Everyone, can I have your attention?
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I'm going to be a mother.
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What are you doing?
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I thought you were going to get rid of the problem.
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Right, so if my problem is a boy, I'll name him Marco.
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And if my problem is a girl, I'll name her Olivia.
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See, years from now, the promotion won't really matter.
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But my family always will.
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Oh, hey.
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Did you need something?
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Yeah, you embarrassed me back there.
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I embarrassed you?
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you?
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You wanted me to choose between my child and a promotion.
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I want both.
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you don't get it this is going to ruin your career in the long run
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i mean having a family would just get in the way of everything
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um how's your wife our marriage is on the rocks
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but she's fine why do you ask
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and your kids how are they they're good my oldest just started pre -k what are you getting at
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you would consider yourself successful right abella i'm sorry
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but what does this have to do with anything why is it a problem
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if i have kids
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but you get to keep your little family well
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there's a difference a difference yeah look you got look there's just it's different between me
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and you a difference
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because I'm a woman no okay yeah like how are you gonna focus on work
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when you have a baby like your hormones
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or your woman parts might make you go crazy excuse me
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I'll make it work I have my husband my parents live nearby
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I can hire a sitter Abela a baby needs this mother how you're going to give them their milk
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or lullabies when you're talking with investors i can be a mother
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and work plenty of women have done it before me i can
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and will do both okay so you're dead still on having a child and nothing will change my mind fine
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that's your choice but remember all choices have consequences I hate that my boss is judging me for my choice.
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He never had to make a choice.
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Why is he making me?
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So, I was like talking to Jelanika in HR.
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Guess what?
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We thought we saw Dave walking his dog, but it wasn't his dog.
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It was his date!
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Is, like, everything all right, boo?
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Yeah, it's nothing.
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Like, it's never nothing.
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Come on.
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What's going on?
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You should be, like, totes happy right now.
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Yeah, it's Levi.
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He's upset that I'm pregnant. And...
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Upset?
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Yeah.
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I guess he thinks that it'll take away from work.
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Like...
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Really?
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Yeah.
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But I'm having this baby.
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I mean, there's nothing you can do about it, right?
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Don't, like, worry about it.
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You're, like, his best worker.
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Yeah, but if he does fire me, how am I supposed to raise my baby and what am I going to tell my husband?
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You should be more, like, concerned about doing a good job.
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With enough hard work and dedication or whatever, you can, like, prove that.
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You can, like, do anything.
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He'll have to, like, keep you.
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Thanks, Marina.
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I don't know what I would do without you.
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Like, of course.
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And I'll put in, like, a good word for you.
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Honey.
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i'm home boom hello my sweet beautiful sugar plum wine
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i got you something for your soon -to -be promotion this looks nice
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but i can't drink it you can't drink
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it what do you have liver disease religious reasons no there's something else diabetes ladies?
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I'm pregnant.
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What?
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No way!
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Oh my god!
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Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
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I didn't just scramble the baby, did I?
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No, I think we're fine.
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Next time we'll just be a little more safe.
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Okay, you're right.
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Let me make dinner then.
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Well, you just worked all day too.
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Yeah, but you worked all day and you're pregnant.
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I think you get the break.
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Yeah, hopefully i still have a job after this what was that nothing thank you baby you are so smart i know
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you are so um oh hey am i interrupting something no you're not why is my stuff packed
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You.
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You took my promotion.
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I'm like, I'm so sorry.
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I told you already.
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You made your choice, and your choices have consequences.
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Oh, so you fired me because I'm pregnant.
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No, I fired you for insubordination.
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Because I wouldn't get an abortion, is that it?
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I never said that.
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Seriously, you'd rather give my job to somebody else than just give me maternity leave.
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You're spouting nonsense.
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Further evidence of insubordination and not being able to cooperate.
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Now look, we packed your things already for you.
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I think it's best for you to leave.
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Go.
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Bella, wait!
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Don't talk to me.
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Look, it was just like a misunderstanding.
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A misunderstanding?
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You took my job.
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I know it looks bad, but believe me, I was rooting for you.
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Look, I went in to put a good word in for you, and he, like, gave me your job and promotion.
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So I, like, took it.
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Seriously?
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Yeah!
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My rent doesn't pay for itself, boo!
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And I mean, besides, you, like, made a choice that he didn't even like.
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Oh, so you agree with him?
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No, no, no, no, not at all.
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But, be honest.
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Can you blame me?
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I mean, this promotion is, like, career -changing.
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I bet you warmed up to him just so you could get my job.
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Look, I knew you were on thin ice, so I took an opportunity.
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I thought you were my friend, but I bet you couldn't wait for me to leave.
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Look, at the end of the day, my career matters to me, too.
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It's nothing personal.
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And I mean, this job is perfect for me.
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I don't have kids.
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I'm just as good as you.
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So at least my job is secure.
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Just know that what you're doing and how you're doing it won't last.
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I think he'll be fine.
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He might even take me out to dinner.
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Oh.
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Well, you two enjoy each other's company.
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And just know that one day, karma will get it through.
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That's her problem.
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I can't believe it.
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One moment I have everything. And the next?
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I don't know what I'm going to tell my husband.
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I hope we can sort this all out before I meet you.
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Hey, my sweet sugary, woogary cherry pie.
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Hey.
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Hey, baby, what's wrong? Is everything all right?
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What's the matter?
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Is it about the baby?
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No, yes, kind of.
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What happened to the baby?
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Oh god, did I scramble the baby?
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No, god, no, the baby's okay.
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Thank goodness.
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The baby did cause a problem, though.
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I got fired.
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What?
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That doesn't make any sense.
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Why would they fire you?
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Why do you think?
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Wait, isn't it illegal for you to get fired just for being pregnant?
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Probably.
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But what am I going to do?
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Hire a lawyer?
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Do you know how expensive that would be?
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Um, hello?
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I work at a law firm?
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As an accountant?
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Yeah, but I pay attention.
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Look, I might not be a proper lawyer, but I know how to get somebody.
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Really?
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Yes.
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All we need to do is prove how you were fired and pursue legal action.
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I don't know.
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I kind of just want to find a new job and move past this.
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Babe, you can't just let your boss do this to you.
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I just don't want to cause any more trouble.
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Look, in the face of injustice, it might feel uncomfortable in the moment.
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But you have to face this thing head on if you want justice.
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And I just think you have a choice to make.
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You can either just sit back and let your boss ruin your life.
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Or you can stop him from doing this to someone else.
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And just say the word, I'll help you out.
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you're like so funny you should do something funny people do like make jokes
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and get people mad on the internet I don't think that's for me
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but I'm flattered I don't know what you said cuz
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I wasn't listening we're in the middle of something oh
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I'm here for the 11 a .m interview
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we have 11 a .m interview you oh oops
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I like forgot to tell you okay kitten all right we'll play later okay go run alone
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now okay okay mr. Levi Levi well I'll leave you alone I'll just go.
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Please have a seat.
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Your resume here is quite impressive.
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Oh, thank you.
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I've only been in the industry for a year.
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No worries.
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I'm sure you won't be a liability like the last person.
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A liability?
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Nah, she was.. incompatible with our company that's all incompatible really are you sure
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that's all i mean come on we're just two guys here you can be honest with me
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okay well between you and me she got knocked up
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and you know how women they need time off for those sort of things yeah yeah of course i mean
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so you're saying basically you fired her for
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that reason alone then oh yeah like don't get me wrong
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she was a great employee having to pay her why why she has to be attentive to a baby, right?
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She's not really stupid.
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Okay, I think this interview's over now.
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Excuse me?
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Hello?
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Hey, you can't just walk out of the interview.
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Wow, Levi, you just exposed yourself.
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What are you talking about?
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Excuse me while I whip this out.
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August here is my husband, and he just recorded your little interview.
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Okay, so?
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It was a barely interview anyway.
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You just confessed to firing Abella for being pregnant.
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No, I didn't.
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Yeah, of course.
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So basically, you're saying you just fired her for that reason alone, then?
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Hell yeah.
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Like, don't get me wrong, she was a great employee, right?
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But having to pay her while she's attentive to a baby?
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Are you just that way, stupid?
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Wow, there is a huge lawsuit coming your way.
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Let's go, August.
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No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's like gonna be like him.
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Okay.
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I can't let this happen.
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I won't let this happen.
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Hey, wait!
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Seriously, you're gonna sue?
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Yeah, duh.
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You fired me for no good reason.
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Just because I got pregnant doesn't mean that I can't work as well as anybody else.
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Okay, and you're right.
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I want to give you your job back.
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I'll even raise your salary.
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This lawsuit is ridiculous.
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No, you're ridiculous.
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The fact that you thought that you could get away with this is sickening.
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I mean, even if I were to take the job back, what's stopping you from firing me in the future?
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Or firing some other poor woman for the exact same thing?
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This is more than just my job.
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This is about justice.
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Come on, justice.
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There's nothing just about any of this.
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My job is on the line.
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Right, so your job matters, but mine doesn't.
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Well, no. I mean, be honest.
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Getting pregnant was a really bad career move no
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it wasn't god as women we have to fight to work just for men to tell us
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that we can only choose either a family
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or a career men never have to make that decision
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but for some reason women do i hope that after you get sued
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and lose your job you think long
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and hard about why you deserve what's coming to you
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because clearly you don't understand what you did was
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so wrong i hope i never have the misfortune of seeing you again goodbye levi
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it's been so crazy figuring out my next job
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and having a baby
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but life has a way of making things work out i found a lawyer sued levi
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and got enough money to take care of my family i'll go back to work eventually
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but this break is nice i wonder what happened to levi after all that
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Marina, it's me.
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I'm your boss.
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Remember me.
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You remember me.
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Please help me.
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Please, please, please.
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Eww!
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A poor person!
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Someone call the police!
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Hey!
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Leave her alone!
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I think I broke my arm!
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Help!
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Wherever he is, I hope he learned his lesson.
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Interview EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Successful Girl FIRED For Being PREGNANT”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: baby, promotion, choice. This video has 360 sentences and 2637 words to shadow. The speech runs for 18:55. The speaker talks at a steady 139 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 69 of its 360 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| promotion noun | /pɹəˈmoʊʃn̩/ | An advancement in rank or position. |
| honey noun | /ˈhʌni/ | A sweet, viscous, gold-colored fluid produced from plant nectar by bees, and often consumed by humans. |
| dedicate verb | /ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪt/ | To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate. |
| ridiculous adjective | /ɹɪˈdɪk.jə.ləs/ | Deserving of ridicule; foolish, absurd. |
| hire verb | /ˈhaɪɹ/ | To obtain the services of in return for fixed payment. |
| ruin noun | /ˈɹuː.ɪn/ | The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. |
| sue verb | /sjuː/ | To file a legal action against someone, generally a non-criminal (civil) action. |
| liability noun | /laɪəˈbɪlɪti/ | An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone. |
| lawsuit noun | /ˈlɔˌs(j)ut/ | In civil law, a case where two or more people disagree and one or more of the parties take the case to a court for resolution. |
| consequence noun | /ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwəns/ | An effect; something that follows a cause as a result. |
| embarrassed adjective | /ɪmˈbæɹ.əst/ | Having a feeling of shameful discomfort. |
| maternity noun | /məˈtɜɹnəti/ | The state of being a mother; motherhood. |
| impressive adjective | /ɪmˈpɹɛsɪv/ | Making, or tending to make, a positive impression; having power to impress. |
| lesson noun | /ˈlɛs.ən/ | A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. |
| thin adjective | /ˈθɪn/ | Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| figure out verb | To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce. | |
| get away with verb | To get away, or escape, taking (something) with one. | |
| go back to verb | To stem from; to originate in. | |
| knock up verb | /nɒk ʌp/ | To put together, fabricate, or assemble, particularly if done hastily or temporarily. |
| sit back verb | To recline while still in a seated position, with one's back on the frame of the seat. | |
| take away from verb | To subtract a quality from; make something seem not so good or interesting. | |
| think out verb | To devise or solve by a process of thought. | |
| turn down verb | To refuse, decline, or deny. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Do you think it's about that promotion?
- Sorry, why don't you just take it easy?
- Why don't I make dinner tonight?
- I didn't just scramble the baby, did I?
- Because I wouldn't get an abortion, is that it?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | if my problem is a boy, I'll name · if my problem is a girl, I'll name |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've taken · I've dedicated · have done |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | being considered · were fired |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might make · might even take · might not be |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 121 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, you're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thin /ˈθɪn/, enthusiasm /ɪnˈθuziæzəm/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: promotion /pɹəˈmoʊʃn̩/, congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, abortion /əˈbɔɹ.ʃn̩/, dedication /ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: ridiculous /ɹɪˈdɪk.jə.ləs/, liability /laɪəˈbɪlɪti/, maternity /məˈtɜɹnəti/, congratulations /kənˌɡɹæt͡ʃəˈleɪʃ(ə)nz/, uncomfortable /ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like promotion, honey, dedicate.
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.