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Complete English transcript
Welcome to Your English Toolbox.
I am Peter.
Today, we are turning this week’s three short episodes into one vocabulary and shadowing workout.
We will review all twenty-one learning items: four decision idioms, eight ways to describe and explain interesting things more precisely, and nine natural ways to end a conversation, including the five extra expressions from the web lesson.
This episode will help you review and consolidate vocabulary while you practise shadowing at the same time.
Here is the two-sentence game.
First, I will say a short, natural sentence containing one item from this week.
Then you will hear three seconds of silence.
Use that silence to shadow the sentence aloud.
Copy my pronunciation, rhythm and stress.
After the pause, I will say a second sentence with the same meaning but different vocabulary.
That second sentence is your meaning check.
It helps you understand the first sentence without translating.
On your first listen, focus on meaning.
On your second listen, try to follow my voice more closely.
Ready?
Let us begin.
Part one.
Four decision idioms.
Pair one.
I’m still on the fence about applying for the new role.
I still can’t decide whether to apply for the new role.
Pair two.
The offer looks promising, but I want to sleep on it.
The offer looks promising, but I’ll wait until tomorrow before deciding.
Pair three.
The facts were balanced, so Lena went with her gut.
The facts were balanced, so Lena trusted her instinct.
Pair four.
After months of planning, they took the plunge and moved abroad.
After months of planning, they finally made the bold decision and moved abroad.
Part two.
Better ways to describe interesting things.
The first three items are stronger adjectives.
The next five help us understand and explain why something is interesting.
Pair five.
The podcast about memory was fascinating.
The podcast was extremely interesting and made me want to learn more.
Pair six.
The ending raised a thought-provoking question about success.
The ending made me think seriously about success in a new way.
Pair seven.
Our new teacher is engaging, even when the topic is difficult.
Our new teacher keeps us interested and involved, even when the topic is difficult.
Pair eight.
A strong opening story can hold your attention.
A strong opening story can keep you interested and focused.
Pair nine.
The discussion questions encouraged involvement from quieter students.
The discussion questions helped quieter students participate actively.
Pair ten.
That final image stayed in my mind all evening.
I kept thinking about that memorable final image all evening.
Pair eleven.
The new evidence made us reconsider our original idea.
The new evidence made us examine our original idea again.
Pair twelve.
Stories about memory strongly attract her curiosity.
Stories about memory make her intensely curious and eager to discover more.
Part three.
Natural ways to end a conversation.
The first four expressions appeared in the audio lesson.
The final five were the extra expressions available only in the web lesson.
Pair thirteen.
I know you have an early meeting, so I should let you go.
I’ll end the call now because I don’t want to take more of your time.
Pair fourteen.
It’s getting late, so I’d better get going.
It’s getting late, so I need to leave now.
Pair fifteen.
I’d better go, but let’s catch up soon.
I have to leave, but let’s talk again and share our news soon.
Pair sixteen.
It was good talking to you.
Give my regards to your family.
I really enjoyed our conversation.
Please say hello to your family for me.
Now we move to the five expressions from the web lesson.
Pair seventeen.
I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you.
I know you’re busy, so I won’t take any more of your time.
Pair eighteen.
This was a nice break, but I should get back to it.
I enjoyed the break, but I need to return to my work.
Pair nineteen.
I had a great time.
Let’s do this again soon.
I enjoyed today.
Let’s repeat it in the near future.
Pair twenty.
Thanks for calling.
Take care!
Thank you for calling.
I hope everything goes well for you.
Pair twenty-one.
I’ll be in touch when I have the final details.
I’ll contact you again when I know everything.
You have completed all twenty-one pairs.
You reviewed four decision idioms, eight ways to describe and explain interesting things, and nine natural ways to end a conversation.
Five of those closing expressions came from the extra web lesson.
Notice that the second sentence did not simply translate the first.
It rebuilt the same idea using different English words.
That is what makes this both a vocabulary review and a shadowing workout.
Try the episode again tomorrow.
This time, begin repeating as soon as I start speaking, and use the silence to complete the sentence.
On the episode page at yourenglishtoolbox.com, you can read every pair while you practise and choose the listening speed that matches your level.
One idea, two sentences and one stronger English voice.
I am Peter.
Thank you for practising with me.
See you in the next episode.
