Shadowing Practice: Why Is He in a Hole? | Easy English Listening Practice (A2 Level) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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567 sentences
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1
What is that?
2
There is something green between my teeth.
3
Wait!
4
Wait, wait, wait!
5
I remember now.
6
I remember.
7
Dad said, If I swallow a seed, a tree will grow inside me.
8
I swallowed a seed yesterday.
9
The apple seed.
10
Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh,
11
no. Oh, no. The tree is already starting to grow.
12
Peter, if you swallow a seed, a tree will grow in your stomach.
13
Really, Dad?
14
Is that true?
15
Will a real tree grow in there?
16
Yes, a big apple tree.
17
Right here, inside your stomach.
18
I swallowed the seed yesterday.
19
So the tree is growing right now.
20
I need to do something.
21
I need a plan.
22
I need to act fast.
23
Peter, come down.
24
Breakfast is ready.
25
Don't make me call again.
26
Coming, Mom.
27
I'll be right there.
28
Just one more minute.
29
Peter, why are you walking so slowly?
30
And why are you holding your stomach?
31
I have a seed in my stomach, Anna.
32
A seed is growing in there.
33
Okay.
34
Do you want some orange juice?
35
Good morning, Peter.
36
Sit down.
37
Eat your breakfast before it gets cold.
38
Mom, I don't think I should eat too much this morning.
39
Why not?
40
Are you feeling sick, Peter?
41
I already have something growing in my stomach.
42
It needs space.
43
Peter, buddy.
44
Are you feeling okay this morning?
45
You look a little pale.
46
No, Dad.
47
I'm not okay at all.
48
Do you remember what you said to me?
49
Hmm.
50
What do you mean?
51
What did I say?
52
I say a lot of things.
53
You said, if I swallow a seed, a tree will grow in my stomach.
54
I swallowed a seed yesterday, so the tree is growing right now, Dad.
55
Peter, I was just calm It's okay,
56
dad I already have a plan Don't worry about me Peter,
57
what is in your backpack?
58
It looks very heavy this morning Some things I need today Important things For the tree inside me.
59
Why is there a watering can inside your backpack, Peter?
60
I need water, Mom.
61
Trees need water to grow.
62
This is very important.
63
Peter, trees don't grow inside people.
64
That's not how bodies work.
65
Anna, this tree is different.
66
It's inside me.
67
So the rules are different.
68
Peter, wait.
69
Please sit down.
70
Let me explain something to you.
71
I'll be back for lunch, Dad.
72
Please don't worry.
73
I have a good plan.
74
Peter!
75
Where are you going?
76
Come back here right now. To the park, mom.
77
I need sunlight too. For photosynthesis.
78
Bye.
79
Dad, what exactly did you say to him?
80
About the seed?
81
I just made a little joke.
82
Nothing to worry about.
83
It was.. just a joke, Anna.
84
A small joke.
85
Nothing serious at all.
86
What kind of joke, David?
87
Tell me exactly what you said to him.
88
I told him, if he swallows a seed, a tree will grow in his stomach.
89
You said that to Peter, our Peter, who believes every single word you say.
90
I didn't think he would take it so seriously.
91
It was just a funny joke.
92
Dad, Peter takes everything seriously.
93
Mm-hmm.
94
You know that about him.
95
Okay, okay.
96
I'm calling him now.
97
Peter, please answer the phone.
98
Are you okay, little boy?
99
Where is your mother?
100
Are you alone?
101
I am fine, thank you.
102
I am just doing photosynthesis for the tree.
103
You are doing what?
104
What do you mean?
105
Photosynthesis.
106
For the tree in my stomach.
107
It needs sunlight to grow.
108
Do you know where your parents are, sweetheart? Are they nearby?
109
They are at home.
110
I am fine.
111
Thank you very much for asking.
112
Step one, water.
113
Step two, sunlight.
114
Step three, soil for the roots.
115
I need to find good soil.
116
Where can I find the best soil in this park? park.
117
Good morning.
118
Nice day today, isn't it?
119
Are you enjoying the park?
120
Excuse me, sir.
121
I have one very important question for you.
122
Sure, kid.
123
I love important questions.
124
What do you want to know?
125
If a seed is inside a warm place and has water, will it grow?
126
Well, yes.
127
Seeds need three things to grow.
128
It's quite simple, really.
129
What are the three things?
130
Tell me, please.
131
This is very important.
132
Water, warmth, and soil.
133
A seed needs all three things to grow well.
134
Water, warmth, and soil.
135
I already have the water and the warmth.
136
Are you working on a school project or something?
137
Something like that.
138
Thank you so much for that useful information.
139
I have water inside me.
140
I have warmth inside me.
141
I just need soil now.
142
The soil will help the roots grow well.
143
Yes, that makes perfect sense.
144
Hey, kid, what are you doing in my flower bed?
145
Please stop digging there.
146
I am looking for good soil.
147
The best soil.
148
I need it for growth.
149
Growth?
150
Growth of what exactly?
151
What are you trying to grow?
152
Growth of the tree.
153
The tree that is growing inside my stomach right now.
154
The tree that is growing inside your.. hmm.. stomach?
155
Growth means when something gets bigger and bigger over time.
156
When a plant gets taller every day, we call that growth.
157
I need soil.
158
Kid, listen to me carefully.
159
There is no tree growing in your stomach.
160
But my dad told me there is.
161
He said a tree will grow if I swallow a seed.
162
I think your dad was joking.
163
Dads sometimes say funny things like that.
164
My dad does not joke about trees.
165
He sounded very serious when he said it.
166
How about I call your parents for you?
167
Do you have their phone number?
168
No, thank you.
169
I can solve this problem by myself.
170
I have a plan.
171
I found the soil.
172
Now I need to dig.
173
I need a hole.
174
A good, deep hole.
175
Dig?
176
A hole?
177
What are you planning to do with a hole, kid?
178
I need to dig a hole for the roots.
179
The roots need somewhere to go.
180
Why do the roots need a hole?
181
I don't understand your plan at all.
182
When the tree grows big, the roots will come out from the bottom of my feet.
183
They need somewhere to go.
184
So I need a hole with very good soil inside it.
185
Kid, that is not how humans work.
186
People don't grow tree roots from their feet.
187
Maybe not for normal trees.
188
But this tree is inside a human body.
189
So maybe it works differently.
190
I need to test my theory.
191
It's logical.
192
Where is your mother right now?
193
Does she know you are here alone?
194
She is at home.
195
She doesn't know about the tree yet.
196
I didn't want to worry her.
197
She worries about everything.
198
She's a mom.
199
How old are you, kid?
200
You seem very young to be here alone.
201
I am nine years old.
202
Almost ten.
203
Why do you ask?
204
Nine years old.
205
Okay.
206
Does anyone know that you are here in this park?
207
No. But I am completely fine.
208
Thank you again for the soil information.
209
Okay.
210
What should I do now?
211
Option A.
212
Go home and tell mom the truth. Or option B.
213
Keep trying to fix the tree problem by myself.
214
Hmm.
215
I think I will try option B first.
216
Yes, option B is the better choice.
217
Look!
218
Someone left a small shovel here.
219
This is perfect!
220
Very lucky!
221
This is gonna work.
222
I am sure this plan is gonna work perfectly David,
223
Peter is still not home It has been almost two hours now He'll be back very soon David,
224
it has been two hours Two full hours Where is our son?
225
Dad, what exactly did you say to him about the seed?
226
It was a joke, Anna.
227
A small, funny joke.
228
That is all it was.
229
What kind of joke?
230
Say the exact words you said to him, David.
231
I said, if he swallows a seed, a tree will grow in his stomach.
232
You said that to Peter.
233
To our Peter, who believes every word you say.
234
I know, I know.
235
It seemed funny and harmless at the time.
236
I'm sorry.
237
Call him.
238
Call Peter right now.
239
Call him and don't stop until he answers.
240
Okay?
241
I'm calling.
242
Come on, Peter.
243
Please pick up.
244
Please answer the phone.
245
Help.
246
He's not answering.
247
Peter, please answer.
248
Dad is calling you.
249
Pick up.
250
Try again.
251
Call him again.
252
And again after that if you have to.
253
Still no answer.
254
I think he turned his phone off completely.
255
Dad.
256
Can I ask you a science question?
257
An important one.
258
Yes, Anna, what is your question? Is it true?
259
If you swallow a seed, will something really grow inside you?
260
No. Of course not, Anna.
261
The stomach has strong acid inside it.
262
Acid?
263
What does the acid do to the food inside the stomach?
264
The acid digests everything.
265
It breaks all the food down into tiny pieces.
266
So the stomach digests the seed.
267
The seed gets broken down completely.
268
Exactly.
269
That is what digestion does.
270
It breaks everything down safely.
271
So nothing grows at all.
272
The seed just gets digested, and that is it.
273
Yes.
274
Peter is completely fine.
275
I just need to find him and tell him that.
276
You should have told him that yesterday.
277
Before you told him the tree story.
278
I know, Anna.
279
I know.
280
You're right.
281
I know.
282
I'm gonna look for him.
283
He always goes to the park near the fountain.
284
Wait, I'll come with you.
285
Two people can search faster than one.
286
No. You stay here.
287
Think carefully about the things you say to him.
288
Emily.
289
Please let me.
290
If I don't find him soon, I will call the doctor.
291
Stay here, David.
292
I think this hole is big enough now.
293
Let me test it and see.
294
One foot goes in.
295
Two feet go in.
296
Yes.
297
Both feet fit perfectly inside.
298
Now I wait for the roots.
299
The roots should start coming out very soon.
300
Excuse me, young man.
301
Why are you standing inside that hole?
302
I swallowed a seed.
303
Now a tree is growing inside my stomach, sir.
304
The roots will come out from my feet.
305
This hole is ready for the roots.
306
I see. That sounds very serious.
307
Does your mother know you are here?
308
Not exactly, sir.
309
But I am perfectly fine.
310
Thank you for asking me.
311
Dad!
312
Dad!
313
Look!
314
That boy over there is standing inside a hole!
315
Look!
316
Yes, I can see that.
317
Let's just keep walking, okay?
318
Come on now.
319
But why is he standing in the hole, Dad?
320
What is he doing in there?
321
I honestly don't know.
322
Let's keep walking.
323
Don't stare at him.
324
Excuse me.
325
I swallowed a seed.
326
A tree is growing.
327
I'm waiting for roots.
328
That sounds so cool.
329
Can I also stand in the hole?
330
No, absolutely not.
331
Come on, we are leaving right now.
332
Let's go.
333
The routes are taking a very long time.
334
Maybe I need to drink more water.
335
Or maybe I need more direct sunlight.
336
I should turn and face the sun more.
337
Peter!
338
Peter, where are you?
339
Peter, answer me!
340
P-E-T-R Mom?
341
Mom!
342
I'm over here, near the big fountain.
343
I can see you, Mom!
344
Peter!
345
Oh, thank goodness!
346
Are you okay?
347
Are you hurt anywhere?
348
You are standing in a hole.
349
Peter, why are you standing in a hole? For the roots, Mom.
350
When the tree in my stomach grows big enough.
351
Peter, get out of the hole right now.
352
Please get out of the hole.
353
But Mom, the roots are going to need the soil.
354
And if I move the...
355
Peter!
356
Out of the hole.
357
Right now.
358
I mean it.
359
Come out now.
360
Okay, okay.
361
I'm getting out.
362
I'm coming out of the hole right now.
363
Are you sure you're not hurt?
364
Let me look at you.
365
Turn around.
366
I'm fine, Mom.
367
Really, I'm fine.
368
But mom, I need to ask you something.
369
Am I going to be okay?
370
Is the tree inside me going to be a big problem?
371
Come here first.
372
Just come here and let me hold you for one second.
373
Mom, you didn't answer my question.
374
Is the tree a problem or not?
375
I know, sweetheart.
376
Come here first.
377
Then we will sit and talk, okay?
378
Okay.
379
But I really want to know.
380
I want you to tell me the real truth.
381
Peter, you're home.
382
Are you okay?
383
Let me look at you properly.
384
Hi, Dad.
385
I'm okay.
386
I'm just a little bit tired from the park.
387
Why are you tired?
388
What were you doing out there by yourself?
389
I stood inside a hole for a very long time.
390
It was harder than I expected.
391
You stood in a hole?
392
A real hole in the ground?
393
Yes, for the roots.
394
When the tree grows big enough?
395
Peter, I need to tell you something very important.
396
Please sit down.
397
Is it about the tree that's growing in my stomach?
398
Yes, Peter.
399
It is about the tree.
400
Please sit down and listen to me.
401
Okay, Dad.
402
I'm sitting down.
403
I'm listening.
404
Tell me everything.
405
Peter, there is no tree growing in your stomach.
406
There is no tree.
407
Uh, what?
408
What did you just say to me?
409
There is no tree inside you.
410
When you swallow a seed, your stomach digests it.
411
What does the word digest mean?
412
I don't know that word, Dad.
413
To digest means to break something down into very tiny pieces inside your body.
414
Hmm.
415
So my stomach breaks down the seed?
416
The seed doesn't grow into a tree?
417
No. Nothing grows at all.
418
You are completely safe and healthy, Peter.
419
But you said a tree would grow.
420
You told me that.
421
I heard you say it.
422
I know what I said, and I am very sorry.
423
It was a bad joke.
424
A terrible joke.
425
A joke?
426
That was a joke?
427
You were joking when you told me that?
428
Yes.
429
It was a very, very bad joke.
430
I am truly sorry for saying it, Peter.
431
Hmm You didn't think I would believe you when you said it?
432
I should have known you would believe me I'm very sorry I really am He always believes you,
433
Dad He has always believed everything you say I know that now
434
And that makes me feel very guilty about what I did.
435
What does the word guilty mean, Dad?
436
I don't know that word either.
437
Guilty means you know you did something wrong.
438
And you feel very bad inside.
439
Where do you feel it?
440
Does it feel bad in your stomach when you're guilty?
441
No. You feel it in your chest.
442
Right here in your heart.
443
Not your stomach.
444
Is it like the feeling I get when I break something and don't tell you?
445
Yes.
446
It is exactly like that feeling.
447
That is exactly what guilty feels like.
448
So right now, you are feeling guilty?
449
Yes.
450
I feel very, very guilty right now.
451
More guilty than I have ever felt.
452
Okay, Dad.
453
Thank you for telling me the truth.
454
I understand now.
455
Are you angry at me, Peter?
456
You have every right to be angry at me.
457
No, I'm not angry.
458
You said sorry, and you were honest.
459
So I forgive you.
460
Just like that?
461
You forgive me that quickly? Are you sure?
462
Yes.
463
Yes, when someone is honest and feels guilty, forgiving them is the right thing.
464
That is actually very mature thinking, Peter.
465
I'm impressed.
466
Thank you, Anna.
467
I think about things carefully.
468
I always do.
469
Peter, I am so glad you are home safe.
470
I was very worried about you.
471
I'm sorry for worrying you, Mom.
472
I didn't want to make you worried.
473
Next time something worries you, tell me right away.
474
Even something strange.
475
Even if it's about a tree growing inside my stomach?
476
Especially if it is about a tree growing inside your stomach, Peter.
477
Peter, can I ask you one thing about your plan today at the park?
478
Yes, Anna.
479
You can ask me anything.
480
Why did you stand in the hole?
481
What did you think would happen?
482
When the tree grows big, the roots come out from the bottom of your feet.
483
The roots need good soil to grow into.
484
So I found soil and made a hole.
485
That is actually very logical thinking, given what you believed was true.
486
I know.
487
I always try to think in a logical way.
488
It is not logical, Peter.
489
Trees do not grow inside people's stomachs.
490
Mom, I was working with the information I had at the time.
491
Peter, the man in the park, the gardener, did you talk to him today?
492
Yes, dad.
493
I talked to him.
494
He said you were probably joking about the tree.
495
And what did you think when he said that to you?
496
Tell me.
497
I'm here for you.
498
And what did you think when he said that to you?
499
Oh.
500
Tell me.
501
I'm here for you.
502
I didn't believe him.
503
I thought my dad doesn't joke about trees Peter,
504
I'm sorry I will never make a joke like that again I promise you Okay,
505
dad, I believe you
506
And thank you for saying sorry in front of everyone You deserve a real apology In front of everyone
507
You went through a lot today.
508
Good.
509
And I have decided something.
510
Peter gets to choose dessert for one week.
511
Ice cream.
512
Every single night.
513
That is my final decision.
514
I choose ice cream.
515
Within reason, Peter.
516
You know what within reason means.
517
What does within reason mean?
518
Is that another new expression?
519
It means not ice cream for breakfast, Peter.
520
Just so you know.
521
Oh.
522
Oh.
523
Okay.
524
That seems fair.
525
Deal.
526
I accept those terms.
527
Peter, look at this.
528
I found something interesting in my science book.
529
What is it, Anna?
530
What does it say?
531
It says seeds cannot grow in the human stomach.
532
Not ever.
533
Because the stomach has acid inside it, the acid digests the seed.
534
Yes, exactly.
535
The stomach digests the seed completely.
536
Nothing grows at all.
537
So my stomach would have digested the seed all by itself, without any help?
538
Yes.
539
Your body was always safe, Peter.
540
You were never in any danger at all.
541
Good.
542
That is very good and very useful information.
543
I will write it down.
544
I learned five important words today.
545
Do you want to hear all five of them?
546
Yes.
547
Tell me all five words.
548
I want to hear them.
549
Swallow, seed, stomach, grow, and guilty.
550
Those are my five words today.
551
Very good.
552
Now can you use all five words together in some sentences?
553
I swallowed a seed.
554
The seed went into my stomach.
555
I thought it would grow.
556
But the stomach digests seeds.
557
They don't grow.
558
And Dad felt very guilty.
559
Perfect, Peter. That was perfect.
560
You used all five words correctly.
561
Also, on Saturday, the gardener, Mr. Thomas, will teach me about real plants.
562
Real plants?
563
That sounds great.
564
I will take you there on Saturday morning.
565
And tomorrow, I will not stand in any more holes.
566
I have learned my lesson.
567
Thank you.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Why Is He in a Hole?”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Peter, tree, seed, stomach, grow. This video has 567 sentences and 3175 words to shadow. The speech runs for 33:30. The speaker talks slowly, about 95 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 116 of its 567 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 |
|---|---|---|
| stomach noun | /ˈstʌmək/ | An organ in animals that stores food in the process of digestion. |
| soil noun | /sɔɪl/ | A mixture of mineral particles and organic material, used to support plant growth. |
| swallow verb | /ˈswɑ.loʊ/ | To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat. |
| digest verb | /daɪˈd͡ʒɛst/ | To distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or application. |
| acid noun | /ˈæsɪd/ | A sour substance. |
| logical adjective | /ˈlɑd͡ʒɪkəl/ | In agreement with the principles of logic. |
| sunlight noun | /ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/ | All the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun; especially, that in the visible spectrum and that bathes the Earth. |
| warmth noun | /wɔɹmθ/ | A moderate degree of heat; the sensation of being warm. |
| carefully adverb | /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ | With care; attentively, circumspectly. |
| seed noun | /siːd/ | Any propagative portion of a plant which may be sown, such as true seeds, seed-like fruits, tubers, or bulbs. |
| forgive verb | /fɚˈɡɪv/ | To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against. |
| joking verb | /ˈd͡ʒoʊkɪŋ/ | Kidding, trying to fool. |
| fountain noun | /ˈfaʊn.tɪn/ | A natural source of water; a spring. |
| backpack noun | /ˈbæk.pæk/ | A knapsack, sometimes mounted on a light frame, but always supported by straps, worn on a person’s back for the purpose of carrying things, especially when… |
| sweetheart noun | /ˈswiːtˌhɑːt/ | A person who is always very kind. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sit down verb | To assume a sitting position from a standing position. | |
| break down verb | To stop functioning. | |
| 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. | |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| come down verb | To descend, fall down, collapse. | |
| do out verb | To decorate, tidy, or clean (a place). |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Peter, why are you walking so slowly?
- Do you want some orange juice?
- Are you feeling okay this morning?
- Do you remember what you said to me?
- Are you sure you're not hurt?
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 swallow a seed, will something |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has been · has always believed · have ever felt |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should eat · should I do · should have |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | was joking · were you doing · were joking |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 58 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, didn't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: warmth /wɔɹmθ/, photosynthesis /ˌfoʊ.toʊˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/
- Long words — get the stress right: differently /ˈdɪf.ə.ɹənt.li/, apology /əˈpɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/, photosynthesis /ˌfoʊ.toʊˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/
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 stomach, soil, swallow.
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.