How to Use These Mini-Transcripts
In real listening, you don’t hear “separate words.” You hear a stream. The goal of this chapter is to practice putting multiple connected-speech features together inside short, everyday conversations. Each conversation below has three parts:
- Natural-speech mini-transcript (with connections marked)
- Standard written transcript (how it’s usually written)
- Line-by-line explanation (what changed and why)
Marking key:
_ = linking/words run together (e.g., pick_it_up)(...) = reduced/weak form (e.g., (to), (of))’ = contraction (e.g., I’m, we’ll)gonna / wanna / gotta = common informal reductionsCAPS = stressed word (main information)
Step-by-step practice (repeat for each conversation)
- Read the natural-speech version and try to “hear” it as one stream.
- Underline the stressed words (often already in CAPS). Those carry the main meaning.
- Compare with the standard transcript and locate what got reduced or linked.
- Answer the comprehension questions without looking back first; then check.
- Shadow (repeat aloud) one line at a time, keeping the rhythm: stress the CAPS words, glide through the reduced parts.
Conversation 1: Ordering Food (Coffee Shop)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: Hi—can_I get_a MEDium latte (to)_GO? B: Sure. Want_anything_else? A: Yeah, I’ll take_a BLUEberry muffin. B: That’ll be SEVen fifty. A: Here_y’are. B: Thanks. Your ORDER’ll be UP in a MINute.
Standard written transcript
A: Hi. Can I get a medium latte to go? B: Sure. Do you want anything else? A: Yes, I’ll take a blueberry muffin. B: That will be seven fifty. A: Here you are. B: Thanks. Your order will be up in a minute.
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
can_I get_a MEDium | can I get a medium | can_I links; get_a links so it may sound like one chunk (getta). Stress stays on MEDium. |
(to)_GO | to go | to is weak: often very short before a stressed word (GO). |
Want_anything_else? | Do you want anything else? | Everyday speech often drops extra words (Do you) and keeps the core meaning. want_anything links. |
I’ll take_a BLUEberry | I will take a blueberry | Contraction I’ll. take_a links; stress on the content word BLUEberry. |
That’ll be SEVen fifty | That will be seven fifty | That’ll is a contraction; be is weak and quick; numbers are usually clear and stressed. |
Here_y’are | Here you are | you becomes weak (y’) and links: here-yuh-are. |
ORDER’ll be UP in a MINute | Order will be up in a minute | ORDER, UP, MINute carry the message; will reduces to ’ll. |
Comprehension questions
- What two items does the customer order?
- Which word is reduced in
(to)_GO? - How much is the total?
- In
Here_y’are, which word becomes weak?
Conversation 2: Making Plans (Text-to-Speech Style Chat)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: You free (on) FRIday night? B: I might_be. What’re you THINKin’? A: We could go_out (for) DINner, then catch_a MOVie. B: I’m DOWN. What TIME you wanna MEET? A: Let’s say SEVen (at) the STAtion. B: Cool—I’ll let_ya KNOW if_anything CHANGEs.
Standard written transcript
A: Are you free on Friday night? B: I might be. What are you thinking? A: We could go out for dinner, then catch a movie. B: I’m down. What time do you want to meet? A: Let’s say seven at the station. B: Cool. I’ll let you know if anything changes.
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
You free (on) FRIday night? | Are you free on Friday night? | Question is shortened; on is weak and may be barely heard. Stress on FRIday. |
I might_be. | I might be. | Linking makes it one unit: might-be. |
What’re you THINKin’? | What are you thinking? | What are compresses to What’re. Final -g often drops in casual speech (thinkin’). |
go_out (for) DINner | go out for dinner | for is weak; the main information is DINner. |
catch_a MOVie | catch a movie | catch_a links; stress on MOVie. |
What TIME you wanna MEET? | What time do you want to meet? | Extra helper words drop; want to becomes wanna. Stress on TIME and MEET. |
SEVen (at) the STAtion | seven at the station | at is weak; place word STAtion is stressed. |
I’ll let_ya KNOW if_anything CHANGEs | I’ll let you know if anything changes | let_ya is a common reduced let you. if_anything links; stress on KNOW and CHANGEs. |
Comprehension questions
- When are they making plans for?
- Where will they meet?
- Identify two reduced/weak words shown in parentheses.
- In
What’re you THINKin’?, what does What’re mean in standard written English?
Conversation 3: Asking for Help (Finding a Building)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: Hey—sorry, d’you KNOW where the LIbrary is? B: Yeah, it’s kinda FAR. Go STRAIGHT, then take_a LEFT (at) the SECond light. A: Left (at) the second LIGHT—got_it. Is_it near the PARK? B: Yeah, it’s RIGHT across_from it. You can’t MISS it.
Standard written transcript
A: Hey, sorry. Do you know where the library is? B: Yes, it’s kind of far. Go straight, then take a left at the second light. A: Left at the second light. Got it. Is it near the park? B: Yes, it’s right across from it. You can’t miss it.
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
d’you KNOW | do you know | do you compresses heavily; listen for the stressed verb KNOW. |
it’s kinda FAR | it’s kind of far | kind of reduces to kinda. Stress on FAR. |
take_a LEFT (at) the SECond light | take a left at the second light | take_a links; at is weak; key details are LEFT, SECond, light. |
Is_it near the PARK? | Is it near the park? | Is_it links; stress on PARK. |
RIGHT across_from it | right across from it | across_from links; from is often weak, so it may sound like part of across. |
You can’t MISS it | You can’t miss it | Negative contraction is clear; stress on MISS for emphasis. |
Comprehension questions
- What direction should the person turn, and at which light?
- Which phrase is reduced to
kinda? - What landmark is the library near?
- In
d’you KNOW, which two words are compressed?
Conversation 4: Casual Updates (Coworkers)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: Hey, how’s_it GOin’? B: Not BAD—just been REALLY busy. A: Yeah? What’ve you been WORKin’ on? B: I’ve gotta FINish the REport (by) MONday. A: Oof. Need_any HELP? B: Maybe—if you’ve got_a MINute later, could_ya CHECK my numbers?
Standard written transcript
A: Hey, how is it going? B: Not bad. I have just been really busy. A: Yes? What have you been working on? B: I have got to finish the report by Monday. A: Oof. Do you need any help? B: Maybe. If you have got a minute later, could you check my numbers?
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
how’s_it GOin’? | how is it going | how is contracts to how’s; it links; going becomes goin’. |
just been REALLY busy | have just been really busy | Subject/auxiliary may drop in casual replies; stress on REALLY and busy. |
What’ve you been WORKin’ on? | What have you been working on? | What have contracts to What’ve; working → workin’. |
I’ve gotta FINish | I have got to finish | have got to reduces to gotta. Stress on FINish. |
(by) MONday | by Monday | by is weak before a stressed day word (MONday). |
Need_any HELP? | Do you need any help? | Shortened question; need_any links; stress on HELP. |
you’ve got_a MINute | you have got a minute | got_a links; minute is the key noun. |
could_ya CHECK my numbers? | could you check my numbers? | could you reduces to could_ya; stress on CHECK. |
Comprehension questions
- What is the deadline?
- What task does B ask A to do?
- Identify two places where the speaker drops or reduces helper words (auxiliaries).
- In
could_ya, what is the standard form?
Conversation 5: Quick Phone Call (Rescheduling)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: Hey, it’s ME. You still comin’ (at) TWO? B: Uh—I can’t. I’m stuck_in TRAffic. A: Okay. When can_ya MAKE it? B: I’ll be there (in) like THIRty minutes. A: Alright, I’ll wait (by) the ENtrance. Text_me when you’re CLOSE.
Standard written transcript
A: Hey, it’s me. Are you still coming at two? B: Uh, I can’t. I’m stuck in traffic. A: Okay. When can you make it? B: I will be there in like thirty minutes. A: All right. I’ll wait by the entrance. Text me when you are close.
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
You still comin’ (at) TWO? | Are you still coming at two? | Shortened question; at is weak; time TWO is stressed. |
stuck_in TRAffic | stuck in traffic | stuck_in links; stress on TRAffic. |
When can_ya MAKE it? | When can you make it? | can you reduces to can_ya; stress on MAKE. |
(in) like THIRty minutes | in like thirty minutes | in is weak; approximate time phrase keeps stress on THIRty. |
wait (by) the ENtrance | wait by the entrance | by is weak; location word ENtrance is stressed. |
Text_me when you’re CLOSE | Text me when you are close | you are contracts to you’re; Text_me links; stress on CLOSE. |
Comprehension questions
- What time was the original plan?
- Why can’t B arrive on time?
- How long until B arrives?
- Identify two reduced words shown in parentheses and write their standard forms.
Conversation 6: Small Problem in a Store (Returning an Item)
Natural-speech mini-transcript (connected)
A: Hi—I bought_this YESterday, but it doesn’t WORK. B: Okay, do_you have_a REceipt? A: I think_so. Lemme CHECK. B: No WORries. If you can’t find_it, we can look_it UP (with) your CARD. A: Oh, here_it is. B: Great—do_you want_a REfund or an EXchange?
Standard written transcript
A: Hi. I bought this yesterday, but it does not work. B: Okay. Do you have a receipt? A: I think so. Let me check. B: No worries. If you cannot find it, we can look it up with your card. A: Oh, here it is. B: Great. Do you want a refund or an exchange?
Line-by-line: what changed and why
| Natural speech | Standard | What changed (listening focus) |
|---|
bought_this YESterday | bought this yesterday | bought_this links; stress on YESterday for time detail. |
do_you have_a REceipt? | do you have a receipt | do_you links; have_a links; stress on REceipt. |
Lemme CHECK. | Let me check. | let me reduces to lemme; stress on CHECK. |
can’t find_it | cannot find it | Contraction can’t; find_it links. |
look_it UP (with) your CARD | look it up with your card | look_it links; with is weak; stress on UP and CARD (method). |
here_it is | here it is | here_it links; it is very weak between stressed words. |
do_you want_a REfund | do you want a refund | want_a links; stress on the choice words REfund / EXchange. |
Comprehension questions
- When did A buy the item?
- What problem does A report?
- If there is no receipt, what can the store do?
- Which reduced form means
let me?
Next chapter
Listening Practice Sets: From Slow Clarity to Natural Speed
