Shadowing Practice: Worries About Physical Appearance Learn English via Listening Level 3 Unit 12 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Worries about physical appearance Most people would like to have an attractive physical appearance,
⏸ Paused
41 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Worries about physical appearance Most people would like to have an attractive physical appearance,
2
but some people become very worried about the way they look.
3
This can sometimes lead them to do things that are unhealthy.
4
For example, many women believe that they must be very thin in order to be attractive.
5
They see pictures of fashion models who are very thin
6
and then believe that an attractive woman must look the same way same way.
7
However, many men prefer the appearance of women who are not so thin.
8
In order to become thin,
9
some women try to reduce the amount of food that they eat.
10
When this is taken to an extreme,
11
a woman might eat far too little food to remain healthy.
12
Her weight may become dangerously low as she tries to become thinner and thinner.
13
This condition is called anorexia,
14
and it affects many thousands of women in Western countries.
15
Anorexia is one of several conditions known as eating disorders.
16
Another eating disorder is called bulimia.
17
A woman who has bulimia will sometimes eat large amounts of food,
18
but then will try to eliminate the food by vomiting.
19
This is intended to prevent any weight gain,
20
but it is also a very unhealthy behavior.
21
Unfortunately, some women are are concerned about being very thin,
22
but some women have different concerns related to the appearance of their body.
23
For example, some women believe that their breasts are not large enough and will undergo surgery to enlarge their breasts.
24
In this surgery, some artificial substance is implanted inside the breast to make it larger.
25
Many women have had this surgery,
26
but many of them have suffered serious health problems as a result.
27
In recent years, many men have also become very concerned about their physical appearance.
28
For example, some men believe that they must become very muscular in order to have an attractive appearance.
29
To achieve this appearance, some men use drugs called steroids,
30
which make it possible to gain large amounts of muscle.
31
However, steroids can have very unhealthy side effects.
32
In addition to drugs, some men have used surgery to change their physical appearance.
33
For example, some men have had implants to make their arms,
34
legs, or chest appear larger.
35
It is unfortunate that so many people feel
36
so unhappy about their physical appearance and that they do unhealthy things to change the way they look.
37
Of course, everyone should try to be healthy,
38
but people must also learn to accept their physical appearance.
39
Many different body types can be attractive,
40
but there is no single ideal body type.
41
There is no need to use unnatural methods of changing one's body.

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

This lesson focuses on the complex relationship between physical appearance and self-esteem, drawing attention to societal pressures and unhealthy practices that can arise from the desire to look a certain way. By listening to this content, learners will not only expand their vocabulary surrounding the topic but also gain insights into how these issues affect people of all genders. This is an excellent opportunity for students looking to enhance their IELTS speaking practice, as they will engage with relevant themes and expressions that are likely to arise in discussions about health and body image.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Attractive physical appearance: A pleasing look that is often influenced by societal standards.
  • Anorexia: An eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and extreme restriction of food intake.
  • Bulimia: An eating disorder in which a person binge eats followed by purging to prevent weight gain.
  • Breast enlargement surgery: A procedure to increase the size of breasts through implants.
  • Steroids: Substances used to enhance muscle mass and strength, often with harmful effects.
  • Body image: How a person perceives themselves and their physical appearance.
  • Healthy behaviors: Actions that promote physical and mental well-being.

Practice Tips

To make the most out of this lesson, utilize the shadowing technique, which involves listening to audio while simultaneously speaking along with it. This can significantly improve English pronunciation and fluency. Given the paced delivery in the video, which combines clear speech and varied tone, learners at a Level 3 listening proficiency will find it both attainable and beneficial. Here are some tips to enhance your practice:

  • Listen to the transcript multiple times before attempting to shadow. Familiarize yourself with the context and emotion behind the words.
  • Use a shadowing app that allows you to slow down or repeat sections of the audio, enabling you to focus on tricky phrases or pronunciation aspects.
  • Vary your shadowing speed according to your comfort level. Start slowly, and as you gain confidence, practice matching the speed of the speaker.
  • Pause the audio after each key phrase and try to repeat it back, ensuring that you mimic not just the words but also the intonation and rhythm.
  • Engage in discussions about the topic with others after practicing. This English speaking practice helps consolidate your new vocabulary and expressions.

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