Shadowing Practice: VOA Learning English - Agriculture Report # 392 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
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37 sentences
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This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
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Soil naturally contains harmless amounts of lead along with other metals.
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Because of pollution, however, the amounts are higher the closer you get to cities and towns.
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But experts say this should not stop gardeners from growing food if they take safety measures.
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David Johnson is a chemistry professor in the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
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He explains that lead can enter the ground from leaded paint and leaded fuel and from industry.
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And once lead gets into the soil,
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it stays a long time.
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It remains an environmental threat, especially to children.
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Lead can harm mental and physical development even in babies before they are born.
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If a test finds that soil has too much lead,
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you might be advised to remove the soil or cover it with sod grass.
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Different countries have different levels that they consider acceptable.
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Carl Rosen of the University of Minnesota Extension notes that concerns about lead have increased now that more people are planting gardens.
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But Professor Rosen says plants generally do not absorb much lead.
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He says there is likely more risk from lead dust on plants
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or from playing in the soil than from the plant itself.
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Still, some plants do absorb more than others.
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Experts say good choices for the garden include tomatoes, peppers, beans, and okra.
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Among the plants that can absorb more contaminants,
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they say, are root crops, leafy vegetables, and herbs.
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If you grow carrots, for example,
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you might want to peel them.
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Dirt may be harder to remove from some crops than from others,
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but all produce should be washed.
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Gardens should be planted away from roads and structures, especially old buildings.
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Home gardeners should plant away from the foundation of their house,
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and lead amounts can be especially high near industrial areas and waste dumps.
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Soil should also be tested for its pH level,
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a measure of the acid and alkaline balance.
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Experts say the ability to take up lead is reduced when the pH level is above 6.5.
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Adding organic materials such as compost to soil can also make lead less available to plants.
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Some people attempt a process called phytoremediation.
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They try to remove lead from soil by growing certain plants that collect it.
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But Professor Rosen says the process is complex and may not work.
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And that's the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
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For more gardening information, go to voaspecialenglish.com.

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Context & Background

This section discusses agricultural practices and the potential risks involved, particularly concerning lead contamination in soil. The information is presented by experts from the fields of chemistry and agricultural science, highlighting the importance of safe gardening practices, especially in urban areas. For English learners, this report provides valuable vocabulary related to environmental science, gardening, and food safety, making it a useful resource for enhancing your english speaking practice and comprehension skills in real-life contexts.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Environmental threat: Referring to factors that pose risk to the environment and human health.
  • Safe measures: Actions taken to ensure safety in a specific activity.
  • Soil testing: The process of analyzing soil for its components, such as lead and pH levels.
  • Plant gardening techniques: Methods used to cultivate plants effectively and safely.
  • Phytoremediation: A process that uses plants to remove contaminants from the soil.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Utilizing the shadowing technique can greatly enhance your IELTS speaking practice and overall English fluency. Here’s how you can apply it to this video's transcript:

  1. Listen Carefully: Begin by listening to the report, focusing on the tone and pronunciation of the speakers. Understanding the content contextually will provide a solid foundation for your shadow speech.
  2. Segment the Content: Break the transcript into manageable sections. Each phrase or sentence should focus on a specific point, like the risks of lead in soil or gardening tips.
  3. Repeat After the Speaker: Play the video again and repeat the phrases immediately after the speaker. Pay attention to your intonation and rhythm. This practice will reinforce your english speaking practice.
  4. Record Yourself: After shadowing, record your voice. Compare your pronunciation and pace with the original audio. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
  5. Perform Regularly: Make this shadow speech exercise a regular practice. Consistency is key in language learning, so aim to repeat this activity weekly.

By following this guide, you'll not only improve your speaking skills but also become more familiar with terms related to agriculture and environmental issues, enriching your vocabulary for discussions about these significant topics.

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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