Shadowing Practice: The Technology Report: FBI and Apple Court Battle Ends - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
⏸ Paused
20 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
2
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation,
3
or FBI, has ended its legal action against Apple.
4
The FBI wanted Apple's help to get information from a locked iPhone.
5
The iPhone had been used by a shooter in an attack in San Bernardino, California, last December.
6
A husband and wife killed 14 people in the attack.
7
Police later killed the couple during a gunfight.
8
The FBI sought legal action to force Apple to create new software.
9
The software would permit investigators to use a limitless number of passwords to enter the iPhone's database.
10
The government believed the information from the phone would help in its investigation of the San Bernardino attack.
11
In February, a judge ordered Apple to help the FBI,
12
but the agency announced in late March that it has been able to unlock and collect information from the phone without
13
Apple's help.
14
It asked the judge to cancel her order and she did.
15
The FBI would not say how investigators succeeded in unlocking the iPhone and collecting its stored information.
16
Lawyers for Apple say the company wants to know how the device was unlocked.
17
But the FBI's withdrawal of the legal action could hurt Apple's ability to get answers from federal investigators.
18
The FBI's success in unlocking the phone could hurt Apple's image.
19
The public is now more likely to question the strength of security on Apple devices.
20
For VOA Learning English, I'm Carolyn Prasuti.

Download App

AI scoring for every sentence you speak

Scan To Download
Scan To Download
Download on theApp Store
Get it onGoogle Play
TRENDING

Popular

About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills by listening to and shadowing a news report about a significant legal case involving the FBI and Apple. This engaging content provides an opportunity to enhance your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, and develop your listening skills. By using the shadowing technique, you will imitate the intonation and rhythm of the speaker while gaining insight into current events, making it an excellent addition to your IELTS speaking practice.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - The principal federal investigative agency and domestic intelligence service of the United States.
  • Legal action - The process of taking a dispute to a court of law.
  • Locked iPhone - A mobile device that requires a password or security code to access its contents.
  • Investigators - Professionals who gather and analyze information to solve crimes or cases.
  • Database - An organized collection of data that can be easily accessed and managed.
  • Software - Programs and other operating information used by a computer.
  • Unlock - To gain access to something that was previously secured or restricted.
  • Public image - The perception that the public has of a company or individual.

Practice Tips

To make the most of this lesson, try the following strategies while you listen to the video and practice shadowing:

  • Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the speaker's pace and clarity. The video is a great resource for shadowing practice because the speaker conveys information clearly and deliberately.
  • Use the Shadowspeak Technique: As you listen, repeat what you hear in real time. Focus on mimicking the speaker’s tone and pronunciation, which will enhance your ability to produce natural-sounding speech.
  • Break It Down: Don’t hesitate to pause the video and repeat smaller segments. This can help you understand challenging phrases or vocabulary. You can also use a shadowing site to find similar materials for additional practice.
  • Record Yourself: After shadowing, record your speech and compare it to the original. This will help you identify areas for improvement in your pronunciation and fluency.
  • Combine Skills: Integrate your shadow speech practice with other exercises like vocabulary quizzes or writing prompts related to the topic discussed in the video. This holistic approach will prepare you for various sections of the IELTS speaking exam.

By focusing on these practice tips and consistently applying the shadowing technique, you will see significant improvement in your English speaking abilities.

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.

☕ Buy us a coffee