Shadowing Practice: The Backwards House (Comic Dub) | Episode 1 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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249 sentences
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1
It's dark.
2
Very dark.
3
I'd better watch my step.
4
What's that sound?
5
Music?
6
I think there's a TV down there.
7
And it's playing something. But what?
8
Sorry, but where am I?
9
Isn't it obvious, my child?
10
You're home.
11
I'm home?
12
Sorry, but who are you?
13
And why don't I recognize this place?
14
And why can't I remember anything?
15
My, my.
16
You sure are a curious one, aren't you?
17
Oh, that must be your name.
18
You are the Curious Cat.
19
Come on, Mother.
20
Aren't you going to introduce us?
21
I was just getting to that.
22
Curious Cat, allow me to introduce you to your new family.
23
This is - Odd Dog!
24
I like your bow!
25
Where'd you get it?
26
So you're a cat, right?
27
Does that mean you have claws?
28
You should let me see!
29
Do they only come out when you're angry?
30
How do they work?
31
Um - You're right!
32
You still haven't met the others yet!
33
Come with me!
34
I'll introduce you!
35
I thought I was going to introduce everyone.
36
The mean -looking one is Mighty Mule.
37
I'm not mean -looking.
38
Next we have Foxtrot.
39
It's nice to meet you.
40
And this is Missy Mouse.
41
She's not much of a talker.
42
Then we have
43
Funky Monkey and Empathetic Elephant.
44
What's up, my fellow anthropomorphic animal?
45
Other way.
46
I knew that.
47
What are you doing?
48
I'm making sure I get a good look at ya.
49
Sharp canines, whiskers, pony ears, and a fluffy tail.
50
You must be...
51
A squirrel!
52
I'm a cat, you moron!
53
Well, how am I supposed to know that?
54
I've never seen a cat before.
55
You've never seen anything before, funky monkey.
56
Don't patronize me.
57
Uh, hi there.
58
Your name is Empathetic Elephant, right?
59
Hello there!
60
I'm Empathetic Elephant!
61
I'm so glad we have a new member of the family.
62
I'm sure we're going to be great friends.
63
Right.
64
And this nice lady over here is Mother.
65
It's very nice to meet you, Curious Cat.
66
I'm just sure you'll love it here.
67
Oh, uh, yeah.
68
Hold on!
69
I completely forgot about someone!
70
Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the family, Odd Dog 2 .0!
71
I just made him this morning.
72
Uh, but I thought I was the newest member of the family.
73
They're right.
74
They are the newest member of the family.
75
Which can only mean one thing.
76
Odd Dog 2 .0 must be...
77
An imposter!
78
Wait, guys!
79
Please don't do this!
80
Let's just put down the weapons and talk this out!
81
Are they gonna be alright?
82
They'll be fine.
83
Odd Dog 2 .0, on the other hand.
84
Probably not.
85
Why don't I show you to your room?
86
I get my own room?
87
Here we are, your very own room.
88
Go ahead, take a peek.
89
So, what do you think?
90
It's nice, I guess.
91
Aren't you gonna come in?
92
Oh no, silly.
93
It's your room, not mine.
94
I'm not allowed to enter.
95
Oh, uh, if you say so.
96
Curious, Kat.
97
Now I know this all might be a little overwhelming.
98
So I'll get out of your hair for now.
99
Please come back to the living room when you feel up to it.
100
I'm sure the other children would love to play with you.
101
Hmm.
102
I suppose I could always decorate it.
103
I swear to god, give me my bandana!
104
Over here.
105
Hmm.
106
Hello? Did anyone follow you?
107
What?
108
God damn it, was anyone following you?
109
Uh, I don't think so.
110
What is this all about?
111
You haven't been here for that long, so you couldn't have forgotten it.
112
Your name.
113
What is your name?
114
My name.
115
It's Curious Cat.
116
No, not the name
117
Mother gave you.
118
Your real name.
119
Try to remember.
120
Remember your real name.
121
My real name?
122
Katie.
123
My name is Katie.
124
What is this crazy place?
125
Why the hell do I look like a cat?
126
And damn it, why can't I remember anything?
127
Katie, calm down.
128
I wish I could tell you everything.
129
But we don't have the time right now.
130
Listen to me.
131
You have to write down your name.
132
Somewhere.
133
Somewhere hidden.
134
Somewhere only you know.
135
Or else you'll forget it again.
136
And if you forget your name, you'll forget everything.
137
And then you'll really have no hope of leaving this place.
138
Hide! Is someone in here?
139
Oh, it's just me, Mother!
140
Oh, empathetic elephant.
141
What are you doing in here?
142
Oh, never mind that.
143
I've completely forgotten what I was looking for now.
144
Oh, really?
145
Maybe next time you should write it down so you don't forget.
146
Perhaps.
147
Well, it can't be helped now, I guess.
148
Oh, by the way, Mother, there's something I want to show you in the Arts and Crafts room.
149
Oh, I'd love to come along then.
150
Somewhere only I know.
151
Hmm.
152
Huh.
153
Hey, can I borrow that?
154
Be my guest.
155
Thanks.
156
Hey, where's the ladder?
157
What ladder?
158
The ladder we need to start the next game.
159
The ladder you just said you would get.
160
Oh, that ladder. So where is it?
161
I don't know.
162
What do you mean you don't know?
163
I don't know where it is.
164
Then how were you meant to get it?
165
Like this.
166
Like what?
167
Give it a second.
168
I swear, if there isn't a ladder in your hands in the next two seconds, you're getting struck.
169
Here you go.
170
You were saying?
171
I hate you.
172
Now I just need to find that damn elephant again and get some real answers out of him.
173
ATTENTION EVERYONE!
174
To welcome our new friend, we are going to all play a group game of hide -and -seek!
175
And Jirious Cat will be the Seeker!
176
Oh, uh, that sounds fun and all, but...
177
Crap, it'll seem suspicious if I refuse to play, won't it?
178
Oh, very well.
179
How do I play?
180
It's simple.
181
Just close your eyes, and while you count to ten, everyone else will find somewhere in the living room to hide.
182
The game ends once you find everyone.
183
Sounds easy enough.
184
I'll start now then.
185
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,
186
five, four, three, two, one.
187
Ready or not, here I come.
188
Hmm.
189
Ha ha ha.
190
Ha ha ha.
191
Hmm.
192
Ha!
193
I guess you found me.
194
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
195
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
196
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
197
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
198
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
199
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
200
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
201
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
202
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
203
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
204
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
205
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
206
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
207
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
208
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
209
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
210
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
211
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
212
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
213
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I'm a master of hiding.
214
I can disappear from sight at any time I choose.
215
Oh really?
216
Then can you disappear from my sight even when I'm looking at you?
217
F - Did you just pocket sand me?!
218
I mean, you were kinda asking for it?
219
I was most certainly not!
220
You guys are funny.
221
I hate to interrupt your game, children, but...
222
Dinner is served!
223
this is great you've really outdone yourself this time mother oh
224
you flatter me children did you write it down hmm what was that hmm never mind
225
Mother?
226
For some reason, no matter how much I eat, I'm still hungry.
227
It's almost like I'm not eating anything at all.
228
Please, my child, just bear with the pain a little longer.
229
I promise you that soon enough it'll all completely disappear, and you'll forget that you were ever hungry.
230
Oh.
231
Okay.
232
Good night!
233
Good night.
234
Good night.
235
Can't we stay up a little longer?
236
I still want to play.
237
I'm sorry, sweetie, but it's dangerous to play at night.
238
But don't you worry.
239
Once morning comes, we can play all the games you want.
240
But for now, it's bedtime.
241
Good night, Mother.
242
Good night, darling.
243
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
244
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
245
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
246
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
247
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah,
248
ah, ah
249
We'll be right back.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “The Backwards House”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: cat, mother, ladder, curious. This video has 249 sentences and 1566 words to shadow. The speech runs for 12:38. The speaker talks at a steady 124 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow. 53 of its 249 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 |
|---|---|---|
| curious adjective | /ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs/ | Tending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying. |
| ladder noun | /ˈlæd.ɚ/ | A frame, usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, used for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened rungs (cross strips or… |
| introduce verb | /ˌɪntɹəˈdus/ | To cause (someone) to be acquainted (with someone else). |
| elephant noun | /ˈɛlɪfənt/ | A large mammal of the family Elephantidae in the order Proboscidea, having a trunk, and native to Africa and Asia. |
| disappear verb | /dɪsəˈpɪɹ/ | To vanish. |
| hungry adjective | /ˈhʌŋ.ɡɹi/ | Affected by hunger; having the physical need for food. |
| monkey noun | /ˈmʌŋki/ | A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails… |
| pocket noun | /ˈpɑ.kɪt/ | A bag stitched to an item of clothing, used for carrying small items. |
| sharp adjective | /ʃɑɹp/ | Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut or pierce easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded. |
| sand noun | /sænd/ | Rock that is ground more finely than gravel, but is not as fine as silt (more formally, see grain sizes chart), forming beaches and deserts and also used in… |
| ear noun | /ˈɪə̯/ | The organ of hearing, consisting of the pinna or auricle, auditory canal, eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes and cochlea. |
| refuse verb | /ɹɪˈfjuːz/ | To decline (a request or demand). |
| silly adjective | /ˈsɪl.i/ | Laughable or amusing through foolishness or a foolish appearance. |
| tail noun | /ˈteɪ̯l/ | An object or part of an object resembling a tail in shape, such as the thongs on a cat-o'-nine-tails; a strand of material hanging from something. |
| darling noun | /ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/ | Often used as an affectionate term of address: a person who is very dear to one. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| calm down verb | To become less excited, intense, or angry. | |
| come along verb | To accompany. | |
| come out verb | /ˌkʌm ˈaʊt/ | To be discovered; to be revealed. |
| get out of verb | To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of. | |
| go ahead verb | /ˌɡoʊ əˈhɛd/ | To proceed with; to begin. |
| put down verb | To insult, belittle, or demean. | |
| stay up verb | To remain awake; to not go to bed. | |
| write down verb | To produce or set (something) down in writing; to record something. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Isn't it obvious, my child?
- You sure are a curious one, aren't you?
- Aren't you going to introduce us?
- Do they only come out when you're angry?
- What's up, my fellow anthropomorphic animal?
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 you forget your name, you'll forget · if I refuse to play, won't it |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't met · I've never seen · You've never seen |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | can't be helped · is served |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | was just getting · was looking · were saying |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 68 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, you'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: empathetic /ˌɛmpəˈθɛtɪk/, anthropomorphic /ˌænθɹəpəˈmɔɹfɪk/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: sharp /ʃɑɹp/, suspicious /səˈspɪʃ.əs/
- Long words — get the stress right: empathetic /ˌɛmpəˈθɛtɪk/, anthropomorphic /ˌænθɹəpəˈmɔɹfɪk/
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 curious, ladder, introduce.
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.