Shadowing Practice: The Pyramid of Puzzles - Full Episode | Series 8 E20 | Numberblocks - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

A1
The pyramid of puzzles.
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93 sentences
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The pyramid of puzzles.
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And who knows what mysteries it holds.
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We might find out if we can get this door open.
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Look!
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Two pictures.
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A stick and a leaf.
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It's our first puzzle.
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This is easy.
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We just need to put a stick by the stick.
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And a leaf by the leaf.
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Ta-da!
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Er.. open sesame.
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Look!
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Oh!
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Numbers!
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It looks like some sort of chart. With tall bars.
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This bar reaches up to three, like me.
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And this one goes up to five,
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the same height as me.
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The same height as me.
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So the stick bar goes up to three and the leaf bar goes up to five.
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Oh!
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I think it's showing us how many sticks and how many leaves we need to lay down.
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Let's see.
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Three sticks.
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Five leaves.
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Oh!
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Oh!
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Oh!
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Squares!
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What are those?
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Let's see.
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They're musical.
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Maybe this is a music puzzle.
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This bar chart is three blocks high.
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Oh, I know what to do!
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Oh, worth a try?
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Hmm...
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Look at the numbers.
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Ah, this chart doesn't go up in ones like before.
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It goes up in twos.
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So the first bar is a...
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Two!
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And this bar is.. two, four.
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And the final bar is.. oh, it's in between numbers in between four and six.
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Oh That's me five Onwards and upwards
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That was our way out.
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Maybe there's another way.
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Look, another bar chart with four bars.
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Maybe if we can solve this puzzle,
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we'll find a different way out.
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Do we fill the dishes with gems?
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And if so, how many?
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Oh.
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Five, ten, fifteen, twenty.
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Each mark goes up by five.
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So the first bar means five gems,
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the second bar means ten,
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then fifteen, then twenty gems.
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Come on!
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Pick up five gems at a time.
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Oh, and don't forget to match the colors.
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One, two, three, four, five.
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That's five gems.
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Oh!
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Five.
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Ten.
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Five.
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Ten.
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Fifteen.
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Five.
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Ten.
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Fifteen.
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Twenty.
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Hooray!
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Hooray!
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Wow!
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Wow!
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Wow!
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Wow!
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So that's the mystery of the pyramid of puzzles!
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Hooray!
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Hooray!
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Hooray!
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This was the best bar none!
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Who wants another go?
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I'm gonna go.
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Bye!
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Bye!
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Bye!
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Bye!
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Bye!
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Bye!

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Why practice speaking with this video?

Practicing speaking through engaging content like The Pyramid of Puzzles not only enhances your English speaking skills but also makes learning enjoyable. In this episode, the characters tackle fun puzzles that involve numbers and musical elements, providing an excellent context for learning. By mimicking their dialogue, you can improve your fluency and pronunciation.

The interactive nature of the puzzles encourages viewers to think critically while speaking. This is where the shadowing technique comes into play. By repeating what the characters say, you can develop your ability to articulate thoughts clearly and confidently. Shadow speech allows you to internalize proper sentence structures and vocabulary. As you speak along, you mimic the rhythm and intonation of native speakers, helping you to sound more natural in conversation.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Several key structures are present in the dialogue that can enhance your grammatical understanding:

  • Simple present tense: Phrases like "This is easy" and "Look!" give straightforward commands or statements, making them essential for daily conversations.
  • Comparative adjectives: The use of "same height as me" helps learners understand how to compare different objects or quantities in a simple way.
  • Sequential phrases: The expressions "Let's see" and "Oh! I think it’s showing us" guide listeners through thought processes, helping to structure conversations logically.
  • Question formation: "What are those?" is an effective example of how to ask clear and concise questions, a vital skill in any conversation.

Integrating these structures into your own speech will help you build confidence and coherence.

Common Pronunciation Traps

When shadowing the characters, pay close attention to some tricky words and pronunciation patterns:

  • “Bar”: Often pronounced with a slightly elongated 'a' sound; practice to ensure clarity.
  • “Open sesame”: This phrase is whimsical but can trip up non-native speakers; focus on the flow and intonation.
  • “Puzzle”: The vowel sound can be misleading; make sure to pronounce it as /ˈpʌz.əl/, stressing the first syllable.
  • Number sequences: Phrases like "two, four, six" are crucial for numbers; ensure smooth transitions between them.

Utilizing a shadowing app can assist you in mastering these pronunciations, allowing you to practice repeatedly until you feel confident.

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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