Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

How to make smart decisions more easily

TED-Ed

1.9M views 3 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What kinds of decisions do you find easiest, and which ones feel difficult?
Do you think it’s easier to make good decisions in the morning or in the evening? Why?
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How to make smart decisions more easily

A surprising factor in parole decisions (00:00 – 01:32)

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1. In the study, what factor had a remarkably large impact on whether people received parole?

The kind of crime committed
The length of the original trial
The time of day
The judge’s years of experience

2. When were imprisoned people more likely to receive parole?

Only on Mondays
In the morning
Late at night
In the afternoon

3. According to the explanation, why did judges make different decisions later in the day?

They changed the rules in the afternoon
They had more new information
They wanted to finish work faster
They were likely exhausted and experiencing decision fatigue

How to make smart decisions more easily

What causes decision fatigue (and an example) (01:32 – 03:29)

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1. Studies suggest many individuals have a daily ______ for making decisions.

talent
schedule
reward
threshold

2. Which variables affect how quickly you reach your decision-making threshold?

Frequency, complexity, and novelty
Weather, music, and clothing
Age, height, and weight
Luck, personality, and money only

3. Why is replacing a broken-down car described as especially taxing?

It requires no research and no time
It’s always an easy decision because there are few choices
It is a decision people make every week
It’s unexpected, complicated, and has serious consequences

How to make smart decisions more easily

High-stakes risks and practical strategies (03:29 – 05:16)

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1. Why can decision fatigue be more dangerous in some professions?

Because their decisions are always low-stakes
Because they can always rest between decisions
Because they make multiple high-stakes decisions every day
Because people in those jobs never make decisions

2. What have some studies found about medical workers on extended shifts?

They make fewer critical mistakes than usual
They stop making decisions completely
They only make mistakes in the morning
They are much more likely to make critical mistakes

3. Which strategy is suggested to help avoid decision fatigue in daily life?

Never ask anyone for advice
Try to make as many decisions as possible in one day
Avoid making to-do lists
Remove some rote decisions from your day altogether

How to make smart decisions more easily

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1. What is decision fatigue, according to the video?

A strategy for making decisions faster
A legal rule used by courts
Cognitive exhaustion after extended decision making that affects choices
A physical illness caused by not sleeping enough

2. Which type of decision is most likely to drain cognitive energy quickly?

A familiar, low-stakes daily decision
A decision someone else makes for you
An unexpected, high-stakes decision with many options and time pressure
A decision you have already made many times

3. Which approach best matches the video’s advice for better decision-making?

Reduce unnecessary decisions and save energy for what matters
Treat all choices as equally important
Avoid thinking about consequences
Make every decision immediately so you don’t forget

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

How to make smart decisions more easily

Think about yesterday: what decisions did you make that felt “small,” and which felt “high-stakes”?
Do you believe your decision-making is better at a certain time of day? What evidence do you have from your own life?
Which strategy from the video (make fewer decisions, spread tasks over days, imagine it’s someone else’s decision, relax about small stuff) would help you most? Why?
In your opinion, what “institutional changes” could reduce decision fatigue in schools, hospitals, or workplaces?