Repeat After Me! Improve your IELTS Speaking score through speech shadowing!

Category: Part 2

  • 17 March 2025 👇Lesson 199: Happiness🙂

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    Describe an event that made you happy. You should say

    • what the event was
    • when it happened
    • where it happened
      and explain why it made you happy

    One of the happiest moments in my life was when my spouse and I had our offer accepted on our first home.

    This happened quite recently, in early 2025 actually. For months, we had been searching for the perfect place. We went to open houses and made offers, but we were outbid multiple times. The process was quite stressful, and we were starting to feel discouraged. However, one day, we found a house in our hometown that ticked all the boxes—it was in a great location, had enough space for our growing family, and was within our budget. We put in an offer and anxiously waited for the seller’s response.

    The moment we got the call confirming that our offer had been accepted, we were over the moon. We were at home at the time when the good news came through. We both felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. It was a life-changing event because it marked a new chapter for us—a place to truly call our own!

    What made this moment even more special was that we had achieved a dream we had worked so hard for. Having a permanent home gave us a profound sense of stability, and I would say this is why the event brought me so much happiness.

  • 3 March 2025👇Lesson 197: A time when a friend surprised you😲

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    Describe a time when a friend surprised you. You should say
    – when it happened
    – where it took place
    – what the surprise was
    and explain what you did afterwards.

    About two years ago, my best friend completely caught me off guard with a surprise birthday celebration. I was buried in work and quite sressed, and I had almost forgotten about my own birthday.

    The surprise took place at a cozy little café in the heart of the city. My friend had cleverly tricked me into thinking we were just meeting for a quick cup of coffee to catch up. However, the moment I walked in, I was met with a huge “Happy Birthday” banner, a table full of my closest friends, and a beautifully decorated cake waiting for me. To say I was shocked would be an understatement!

    The most touching part of the surprise was the personalised video montage he had put together. It featured heartfelt messages from friends and family. Watching that video was incredibly emotional, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

    After the initial surprise, we spent the evening reminiscing, sharing laughs and enjoying the delicious food. I made sure to personally thank my friend for his thoughtfulness and effort. The following day, I wrote a heartfelt message to everyone who had been a part of it. I later treated my friend to a nice dinner as a token of appreciation. Even now, whenever I think about that day, it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life.

  • 17 Feb 2025👇Lesson 195: A time you did something difficult💯

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    Describe an occasion when you had to do something difficult.
    What it was
    Why it was difficult
    How you handled the situation
    And explain what you learned from it

    Well, as I mentioned before, I work as an electrician. One particularly difficult experience I had was when I had to rewire an entire house by myself due to an unexpected staffing issue. Initially, I was supposed to work with a team, but at the last minute my colleagues were urgently reassigned to another job. That left me responsible for completing the work on my own.

    The task was challenging because the house was quite old. This meant the existing wiring was outdated and not up to modern safety standards. I had to carefully remove the old wiring and then ensure that the new system I was installing met all safety regulations. Because I was working alone, I also had to manage every aspect of the job—planning the layout, installing the cables, and dealing with any unexpected issues that arose.

    To handle the situation, I broke the project down into smaller tasks and set clear goals for each day to ensure steady progress. I also double-checked every connection and used my experience to anticipate potential problems. In moments of doubt, I called a senior electrician for quick advice, which gave me reassurance and kept me on track.

    In the end, I successfully completed the job on time with everything up to standard. This experience taught me a lot about problem-solving and time management. I also learned that in high-pressure situations, staying calm and methodical is the key to overcoming challenges.

  • 27 Jan 2025👇Lesson 192: An old item in your family🕰️

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    Describe an old item that has been in your family for a long time.
    You should say:

    What the item is
    How your family got it
    How long it has been in your family
    And explain why it is important to your family.

    One of the oldest items in my family is a traditional cuckoo clock. This clock has been hanging in my grandparents’ living room for as long as I can remember. It’s a beautifully handcrafted wooden clock with intricate carvings of birds and leaves. At the hour, a small wooden bird pops out of a little door and says “cuckoo,” which always fascinated me as a child.

    The clock was originally bought by my great-grandfather when he travelled to Germany in the early 1900s. He wanted to bring back something special that represented the culture of the place he visited, and cuckoo clocks were famous in that region. This particular clock has been in our family for over a hundred years, and it has been passed down from one generation to the next.

    What makes it so special is not just its age but the memories associated with it. As kids, my cousins and I would wait eagerly to see the bird emerge and count how many “cuckoos” it made. Even now, when I visit my grandparents’ house, the sound of the clock evokes a nostalgic feeling. It has become a symbol of our family traditions, and I hope it will continue to be passed down to future generations of our family.

  • 20 Jan 2025👇Lesson 191: A pet you have🐶

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    Describe a pet that you or someone you know has. You should say:

    -what type of pet it is
    -what it looks like
    -how you or the owner take care of it
    and explain why you or the owner like this pet.

    I’d like to talk about a dog that my cousin owns. His name is Max, and he’s a Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are known for being friendly, and Max is no exception.

    Max is medium-sized, with a thick, shiny coat of golden fur that looks almost like silk under the sunlight. He has big brown eyes that make him look very lovable, and he always seems to have a smile on his face.

    Taking care of Max involves quite a bit of responsibility. My cousin makes sure to feed him high-quality dog food twice a day and provides fresh water at all times. She also takes him for a walk every morning and evening, as Golden Retrievers are very active and need regular exercise. Max is also groomed weekly to keep his fur in good condition.

    What I love most about Max is his cheerful and gentle nature. He has a unique ability to make everyone around him feel at ease. For instance, whenever someone in the family is feeling down, Max instinctively senses it and sits close to them. He is also very playful and loves playing fetch or just being involved in whatever our family is doing.

    Overall, Max is a cherished member of the family. It’s easy to see why my cousin, and everyone else in the family, adores him.

  • Lesson 188: The best outfit you have ever worn🧥

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    Describe the best outfit you have ever worn. You should say
    – what it looked like
    – when you wore it
    – how you felt wearing it
    and explain why you consider it the best outfit you have ever worn.

    One of the best outfits I have ever worn featured a classic denim jacket. It was a blue jacket with a slightly faded look and minimal detailing, which gave it a smart-looking appeal. I paired it with a simple white T-shirt, black slim-fit jeans and white sneakers. The overall look was casual yet stylish, perfect for a relaxed outing.

    I wore this outfit on a weekend trip with friends last spring. We stayed with one friend who lived on a ranch. The people working on the ranch wear denim because of its durability, so this outfit helped me feel like I fit in. It was also warm, which helped because the mornings on the ranch could sometimes be chilly.

    I consider this the best outfit I’ve ever worn because of how useful and…I guess ‘timeless’ the denim jacket is. I say this because denim jackets have been popular ever decade over the last fifty years or so. Wearing this jacket also reminds me of that great weekend away with my friends, which is a nice memory.

  • Lesson 187: A person who helped you achieve a goal🎯

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    Describe a person who helped you achieve a goal. You should say:
    – what the goal was
    – who this person is
    – how he or she motivated you
    and explain the effect of this motivation on achieving your goal.

    One significant goal I set for myself a few years ago was to improve my public speaking skills. The person who played a pivotal role in helping me achieve this goal was my university professor, Dr. Sullivan. He was not only an exceptional teacher but also a mentor who genuinely cared about his students’ growth.

    Dr. Sullivan motivated me in multiple ways. He encouraged me to participate in a university debating club, which he supervised. His approach was always supportive and constructive. For example, rather than focusing on what I did wrong, he highlighted my strengths and helped me build upon them. He also shared personal stories of how he overcame his own fears of public speaking, which made me feel that my goal was achievable.

    The effect of his motivation was profound. With his guidance, I started practicing regularly. Over time, I grew more confident. I even competed in a regional debate competition and won second place, an accomplishment I never imagined possible. Beyond the tangible results, his support helped me learn to tackle challenges head-on.

    Dr. Sullivan’s mentorship helped me achieve my goal of improving my public speaking skills. He also instilled a sense of confidence that continues to benefit me to this day.

  • Lesson 186: A room in your home🛋️

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    Describe a room in your home. You should say:

    -what room this is
    -what the room looks like
    -who uses this room the most

    and explain what you like or dislike about this room

    I’d like to talk about the living room in my house. It’s the heart of our household, where my family and I gather to relax, entertain guests and spend quality time together.

    The living room is spacious and well-lit, thanks to a large window that allows plenty of natural light. The walls are painted a calming pastel colour, and there’s a stitched rug that adds a touch of coziness. In terms of furniture, the room has a comfortable L-shaped sofa and a wooden media unit that houses the TV. There’s also a small bookshelf in the corner, which has books and a few family photos.

    While everyone in my family uses the living room, I’d say it’s my parents who spend the most time there. My dad enjoys sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea, reading the newspaper in the morning, while my mum often watches her favourite TV shows in the evenings.

    What I love most about this room is its versatility. It’s perfect for unwinding after a long day, yet it’s also a welcoming space for socialising. The natural light during the day and the warm glow of the lamps in the evening make it feel cozy and inviting at any hour. The only thing I dislike is the positioning of the furniture. I think a more open layout would enhance the room’s functionality.

    Overall, the living room holds a lot of cherished memories, which makes it very special to me.

  • Lesson 185: An expensive place you visited💸

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    Talk about a place you visited where everything was expensive. You should say

    – what the place was
    – when you went there
    – why you think everything there was expensive

    and explain whether or not you would visit this place again.

    A place I visited that I found to be exceptionally expensive is Dubai, UAE. I visited the city about two years ago during my winter holidays.

    I stayed in a luxurious area near the iconic Burj Khalifa, and I was immediately struck by the opulence everywhere. The hotels, restaurants, and even everyday activities seemed tailored to a high-end clientele. For instance, I recall dining at a restaurant with a view of the Dubai Fountain, and while the meal was amazing, the bill left me speechless.

    There are a few reasons why everything there is so expensive. For one, Dubai is a global hub for luxury tourism, catering to wealthy visitors from around the world. The city invests heavily in creating world-class entertainment, and the costs are naturally passed on to consumers. Also, many of the goods and services are imported, and this of course adds to their price.

    Despite the high costs, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there because the city offers a unique blend of cultural experiences and stunning architecture. I would happily visit again!

  • Lesson 183: An online video you learned something from▶️

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    Non-stop shadowing lessons!

    This week we’re looking at a Part 2 cue card on the topic of ‘an online video you learned something from’.

    Step 1: Tune in to this week’s lesson. (Audio and video version below.)

    This week’s cue card:

    Describe a video you watched online that you learned something from. You should say

    – when you watched it
    – what the video was about
    – what you learned from it
    and explain how you felt after watching the video.

    Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

    Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

    Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

    Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

    About a year ago, I had a flat tyre while driving on a quiet road, and I realised I didn’t know how to change it. Luckily, I had my phone with me, so I searched for a tutorial online. I found a clear, step-by-step guide explaining how to change a tyre.

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    Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

    Transcript

    Describe a video you watched online that you learned something from. You should say

    – when you watched it
    – what the video was about
    – what you learned from it
    and explain how you felt after watching the video.

    About a year ago, I had a flat tyre while driving on a quiet road, and I realised I didn’t know how to change it. Luckily, I had my phone with me, so I searched for a tutorial online. I found a clear, step-by-step guide explaining how to change a tyre.

    The video was hosted by a mechanic, and he started the video with an explanation of what tools were needed, such as the spare tyre, a jack and a lug wrench. He then demonstrated how to safely position the jack under the car, loosen the lug nuts, and remove the damaged tyre. The presenter also emphasised safety tips, like ensuring the car was on a flat surface and using hazard lights to alert other drivers.

    From this video, I learned how to change a tyre from start to finish. I discovered the importance of loosening the lug nuts before lifting the car and how to tighten them in a crisscross pattern to ensure the new tyre was securely attached.

    This video was incredibly practical, and it gave me a sense of confidence and preparedness for future situations. It’s a very basic skill that I’m glad I learned, and I now make sure to check my car’s tools regularly to be ready for any emergencies.