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

Category: Part 2

14 April 2025 👇Lesson 203: A performance you attended🎸

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Describe a performance you enjoyed watching. You should say:
– what the performance was
– when and where you saw it
– who performed
and explain why you enjoyed the performance.

One performance I truly enjoyed watching was a live jazz concert by a Canadian jazz group called The Heavyweights Brass Band. I saw them perform last summer at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, which takes place every year in Confederation Park, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

The band consists of incredibly talented musicians who play a mix of traditional New Orleans-style jazz, funk and modern jazz fusion. What really stood out was their energy and stage presence. From the first note, they had the crowd completely engaged. The lead trumpet player in particular was phenomenal—his improvisation was so creative and expressive that it felt like he was telling a story through his instrument.

What made the performance so enjoyable for me was the atmosphere. Jazz, by nature, is very spontaneous and interactive, and this group really leaned into that. They would riff off each other and even involve the audience by encouraging call-and-response moments. It felt more like a conversation than a performance!

Another reason I loved it was because it reminded me of how powerful live music can be. You can listen to jazz recordings at home, of course, but nothing compares to hearing it live. I left the concert feeling uplifted, and it deepened my appreciation for the genre.

Overall, it was a truly unforgettable evening, and it sparked a newfound love for jazz that I’ve continued to explore ever since.

April 14, 2025
7 April 2025 👇Lesson 202: Promises🤞

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Describe a time when you made a promise that you were unable to keep. You should say:

– what the promise was
– who you made the promise to
– why you couldn’t keep it
and explain how you felt about it.

One particular time I failed to keep a promise was about a year ago, when I told my younger brother that I would attend his school play. He had been rehearsing for weeks and was playing one of the lead roles in a production of The Lion King.

The promise was made to my younger brother. We’re quite close despite the fact I’m ten years older. I have always tried my best to be involved in his life because our parents work long hours.

Unfortunately, on the day of the play, something completely unexpected happened at work. I had recently started working at a marketing firm, and a client presentation that was scheduled for the following week got suddenly moved up. The entire team was called in for an emergency prep session, and I had no choice but to stay.

I felt terrible for breaking that promise. I could sense how disappointed my brother was when I called him to explain. He tried to brush it off and said it was okay, but I could hear the sadness in his voice. I felt like I had let him down, and it made me realise how fragile trust can be, especially with younger people who look up to you.

Since then, I’ve been much more careful about making promises. That experience taught me that it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than the other way around.

April 6, 2025
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.
March 17, 2025
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.

March 3, 2025
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.

February 17, 2025
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.

January 27, 2025
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.

January 20, 2025
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.

December 30, 2024
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.

December 24, 2024
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.

December 16, 2024