Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B2-C1

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

TED

1.7M views 1 year ago

Warm-up Questions

What do you think makes a conversation “dramatically better”?
When you talk to someone new, what kinds of questions help you connect?
What do you think “the science behind conversations” could mean?
Do you suffer fools lightly?

Up Next

Off-Season Climb of Mount Fuji | A Unique Hiking Adventure in Japan John Hiker Dolar
What Dessert Looks Like In 33 Countries Around the World Insider Food
Sweden Wants Classrooms To Revert To Books, Paper & Pens | WION WION
Analysis of 'Remember' by Christina Rossetti Mrs Rumsey
One Day in Nature | Easy English Listening Practice (A2 Level) Emma Daily English

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

The experiment and the “matching principle” (00:00 – 03:27)

Transcript will load here…

1. What question does the speaker ask the audience to use with a stranger?

When was the last time you cried in front of someone?
What do you do for work?
What is your biggest fear about the future?
How did you meet your best friend?

2. In the speaker’s story about coming home from work, what does his wife mostly do that makes him more upset?

She offers practical advice when he wants emotional support.
She laughs at his problems.
She ignores him completely.
She changes the topic to the kids’ grades.

3. According to the researchers, what does the “matching principle” mean?

Communication is mostly about giving the best advice.
Good communication requires using the same vocabulary level.
Successful communication requires recognizing the kind of conversation and matching it.
Good conversations happen only when people agree.

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

Deep questions and a medical example (03:27 – 09:24)

Transcript will load here…

1. What is a “deep question” in this talk?

A question that tests someone’s knowledge of facts
A question that is always personal and intrusive
A question that leads directly to a solution
A question that invites someone to talk about values, beliefs, or experiences

2. Why does the surgeon often recommend not doing surgery immediately for many prostate tumors?

Because the surgery is illegal in most cases
Because most prostate tumors grow very slowly and surgery can be risky
Because radiation always works better
Because biopsies are impossible to do

3. What deep question does the surgeon ask the patient to understand what kind of conversation the patient wants?

Where did you go to high school?
What does this cancer diagnosis mean to you?
Would you like to schedule surgery tomorrow?
Do you want to be helped, hugged, or heard?

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

Why the experiment works and the idea of “supercommunicators” (09:24 – 11:48)

Transcript will load here…

1. How do most people feel before doing the experiment, according to the speaker?

They think it will be boring but easy
Excited and confident
They hate it and think it sounds terrible
Confused about what to do

2. What do participants often report after doing the experiment?

They feel surprisingly connected and caring
They immediately forget the conversation
They feel angry because the question is rude
They feel less connected than before

3. What does the speaker say about “supercommunicators”?

They have learned skills that help them connect, and anyone can learn them
They are naturally more charismatic than everyone else
They are trained scientists who study conversation
They avoid deep questions because they are too personal

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the main purpose of asking deep questions, according to the talk?

To discover what kind of conversation is happening and connect better
To persuade other people to agree with you
To get facts quickly and end conversations sooner
To avoid emotional topics

2. Which pairing best matches the three “buckets” of conversations described in the talk?

Funny / Serious / Romantic
Fast / Slow / Silent
Practical / Emotional / Social
Public / Private / Secret

3. Why does reciprocal vulnerability matter in conversations (in the speaker’s view)?

It makes conversations more professional
It helps people compete and win arguments
It helps people connect with other people
It prevents misunderstandings by removing emotions

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED

Would you feel comfortable asking a stranger the “crying” question? Why or why not?
Think of a time you wanted empathy but someone gave you advice. How could the “matching principle” have helped?
What are two “deep questions” you could ask a coworker or classmate that would still feel appropriate?
Do you agree that people can learn to be better communicators, or do you think it’s mostly personality? Explain.