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What were the first computers like? – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary

Welcome to FluentDictation, your best YouTube dictation website for English practice. Master this B1 level video with our interactive transcript and shadowing practice tools. We've broken down "What were the first computers like?" into bite-sized segments, perfect for dictation exercises and pronunciation improvement. Read along with our annotated transcript, learn essential vocabulary, and enhance your listening skills. 👉 Start dictation practice

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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation

1.(phone ringing) - Hi, it's Doug

2.A friend of mine knows someone who works at a computer company and they gave me this

3.Can you guess what it is

4.It's part of a computer chip or processor, it's kind of like the brain inside of a computer

5.It's the part that helps the computer do work, and remember things

💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples

Key Vocabulary (CEFR B1)

skyscraper

A2

A very tall building with a large number of floors.

Example:

"what's the tallest skyscraper anyone can build?"

cardboard

A2

A wood-based material resembling heavy paper, used in the manufacture of boxes, cartons and signs.

Example:

"How is cardboard made?"

everything

A2

All the things under discussion.

Example:

"These human computers did everything"

definitely

A2

Without question and beyond doubt.

Example:

"Definitely check it out if you haven't already seen it."

inventors

A2

One who invents, either as a hobby or as an occupation.

Example:

"inventors finally came up with these,"

calculators

B1

A mechanical or electronic device that performs mathematical calculations.

Example:

"computers like ENIAC were actually just giant calculators"

eventually

A2

In the end; at some later time, especially after a long time, a series of problems, struggles, delays or setbacks.

Example:

"Eventually cheap enough for some families"

inventions

A2

Something invented.

Example:

"You'll explore a different bed inventions"

world's

A2

A A2-level word commonly used in this context.

Example:

"What do you think the world's first computers were like?"

tallest

A2

(of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.

Example:

"what's the tallest skyscraper anyone can build?"

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Grammar & Pronunciation Tips for Dictation Practice

1

Chunking

Notice how the speaker pauses after specific phrases to help comprehension.

2

Linking

Listen for connected speech patterns when words flow together.

3

Intonation

Pay attention to how pitch changes to emphasize important information.

Video Difficulty Analysis & Stats

Category
science-&-technology
CEFR Level
B1
Duration
456
Total Words
1213
Total Sentences
164
Average Sentence Length
7 words

Downloadable Dictation Resources & Materials

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