Shadowing Practice: Sue and Axl's Rooftop Fight | The Middle - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Okay, question three.
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117 sentences
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Okay, question three.
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You're late to a party.
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Do you A, take your pink sweater,
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B, your boyfriend's arms will keep you warm,
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or C, you have five sweaters to pick from and you've known for weeks which one you're wearing?
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D, this party sounds lame.
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I'm not going.
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Look, do you want to pick a major or not?
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Now, which 1D lyrics are you most likely to hang on your wall?
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You answered mostly Cs with a few Vs, which makes you a...
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Social Sally.
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Your winning ways and outgoing personality make you the go-to gal in any workplace.
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That is me.
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That is so me.
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Ha ha.
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So, your possible career choices are salon receptionist,
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spinning instructor, and handbag designer to the stars.
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That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
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What happens if I answer all D's?
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Axel, what are you doing up here?
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Sometimes I come up here to think and occasionally throw things.
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Wait a second.
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Do you ever throw acorns at your head?
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Yes.
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All the time.
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Oh.
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What am I doing with my life?
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It was so much easier when I wanted to be a fireman or a superhero.
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God, I wish I was still 17.
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I don't know what you're so worried about, Axel.
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Things always turn out fine for you.
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Hmm.
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You're right.
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I was losing sight of my awesomeness.
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Thanks.
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You know, you're not the worst sister a person could have.
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Really?
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Yeah, I guess you're pretty good at helping people.
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You think so?
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Because I just love helping people so much.
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You know, I haven't told anybody this yet,
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but I was thinking maybe I'd major in psychology.
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Huh.
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Cool.
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I think I'll do that.
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What?
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Yeah, I think I'm gonna be a psychology major.
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No, no, no!
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You can't do that!
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You were gonna steal my major and ruin it for me!
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Mm.
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And how does that make you fierce?
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Oh, no!
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This is so not fair!
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You won't even try, and you'll be good at it anyway.
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And then you'll take my job because there can't be two psychologists in one family.
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That's never done!
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Well, I'm doing it.
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Oh.
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Fine.
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Then I am going to your college.
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You cannot go to my college!
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If you're stealing my major,
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then I am stealing your college.
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Shut your fat mouth, Sue.
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Oh, you shut your fat mouth.
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Oh, way to copy me.
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You are copying me.
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You're stealing my major.
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OK, OK, you know what, Axel?
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I can't take this anymore.
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I tried to help you, and instead, Ah!
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Yeah!
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Sir!
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Axel, help!
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I'll help you if you say you will not come to my school.
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I won't take your hand until you say you're not taking my major.
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Whatever, kiss the paper.
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See if I can.
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And you know, Brick, here's the thing.
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This might not be your time right now,
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but actually, Suzanne Somers had a great quote in her hormone book.
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He's been asleep for the last five minutes.
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Why didn't you tell me?
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You seem to be making yourself feel better.
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Look, Frankie, he'll be fine.
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Look at how much we worried about Axel and Sue,
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and we hardly ever worry about them anymore.
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You stay off the roof.
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And you, you're majoring in business.
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Thank you!
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The thing is, you never stop worrying about your kids.
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Sometimes they need you to scrape them off the roof.
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Sometimes you have to give them a little nudge.
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Boom!
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Business.
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In before the stroke of midnight.
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Woo!
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And sometimes you get a fairy tale ending without even helping them at all.
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I'll get it.
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I was at the dance last night.
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You left your shoe.
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Oh, thanks.
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I'm Cindy.
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I'm getting some frozen yogurt.
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Want to come?
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No, I'm full.
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Well, sometimes you gotta help a little.
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Brick, she was asking you out.
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Really?
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Yes, go, go.
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Wait up, I'm coming.
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Brick, walk.
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So where did you find my shoe?
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Under the table.
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Really?
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I thought it was there.

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Context & Background

In the The Middle episode featuring Sue and Axl, we witness a relatable and humorous sibling exchange about life's uncertainties, career choices, and interpersonal support. The conversation takes place on a rooftop, a metaphor for the ups and downs that come with growing up. Axl expresses his existential worries while Sue attempts to provide reassurance. This dynamic duo illustrates how individuals grapple with the pressures of adulthood and the importance of family to navigate these challenges. Such exchanges offer valuable insights into casual English communication and the nuances of expressing personal feelings.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "What am I doing with my life?" - A common expression of confusion especially among young adults.
  • "Things always turn out fine for you." - A phrase of reassurance that acknowledges someone's past successes.
  • "I wish I was still 17." - A nostalgic reflection on youth and the simplicity of earlier life stages.
  • "You're not the worst sister a person could have." - A humorous and endearing way to affirm someone’s value.
  • "I was thinking maybe I'd major in psychology." - Sharing future aspirations in a conversational context.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively improve your English speaking skills using shadow speech from this transcript, follow this structured approach:

  1. Listen Actively: Start by watching the video segment multiple times, focusing on the rhythm and intonation of the speakers.
  2. Pick Key Phrases: Write down the top phrases listed above. Repeating these will enrich your vocabulary and help you sound more natural in conversation.
  3. Practice Shadowing: Choose a phrase and practice saying it immediately after the speaker. This exercise helps in mimicking pronunciation and enhancing fluency.
  4. Record Yourself: Utilize a recording tool to capture your voice while shadowing. Listen to the playback and compare it with the original audio for improvement.
  5. Engage in English Speaking Practice: Incorporate the learned phrases in dialogues with peers or through an IELTS speaking practice session, applying them to different contexts.

Using shadowing techniques not only bolsters your vocabulary but also enhances your overall speaking confidence. By implementing these strategies regularly, you can further refine your English skills on your journey 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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