Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.
Lesson Info
Lesson Content
Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio
Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Multiple Choice
Language: Words That Go Together, New Sentences
Use It: Discussion Builder, Discussion Questions
Answers
Think Ahead: Do you think having more choices makes shopping easier or harder?
a) Usually easier because there is more to choose from
b) Usually harder because it takes more time
c) It depends on what I am buying
Vocab List
Reading
Modern life offers an almost endless range of products, plans, and entertainment. Yet behavioral scientists say that having more options does not always make people feel freer. In many situations, it can lead to anxiety, delayed decisions, and disappointment after a choice is made.
Barry Schwartz, an emeritus psychology professor at Swarthmore College and author of The Paradox of Choice, says research has repeatedly found that too many options can discourage action. He points to studies of retirement plans, where employees were less likely to sign up when their companies offered more investment choices. In another well-known study, grocery shoppers bought more jam when they could choose from six flavors than when they faced 24.
The problem is not simply that comparing options takes time. Schwartz says a large number of possibilities can make people fear choosing badly. Even after selecting a good option, they may keep wondering whether another one would have been better. This can be especially difficult for “maximizers” — people who feel that only the best choice is acceptable.
Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, says the brain often prefers familiar routines because serious problem-solving requires effort. The researchers suggest reducing unnecessary decisions: set clear criteria, accept an option that is good enough, or ask a trusted person for advice. Choice can be valuable, they say, but it may be easier to feel satisfied when people do not treat every decision as a search for perfection.
The Paradox of Choice
Think Ahead: Do you think having more choices makes shopping easier or harder?
a) Usually easier because there is more to choose from
b) Usually harder because it takes more time
c) It depends on what I am buying
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behavioral scientist (n. phrase)
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anxiety (n.)
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emeritus (adj.)
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discourage (v.)
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investment (n.)
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maximize (v.)
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criteria (n.)
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perfection (n.)
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paradox (n.)
Modern life offers an almost endless range of products, plans, and entertainment. Yet behavioral scientists say that having more options does not always make people feel freer. In many situations, it can lead to anxiety, delayed decisions, and disappointment after a choice is made.
Barry Schwartz, an emeritus psychology professor at Swarthmore College and author of The Paradox of Choice, says research has repeatedly found that too many options can discourage action. He points to studies of retirement plans, where employees were less likely to sign up when their companies offered more investment choices. In another well-known study, grocery shoppers bought more jam when they could choose from six flavors than when they faced 24.
The problem is not simply that comparing options takes time. Schwartz says a large number of possibilities can make people fear choosing badly. Even after selecting a good option, they may keep wondering whether another one would have been better. This can be especially difficult for “maximizers” — people who feel that only the best choice is acceptable.
Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, says the brain often prefers familiar routines because serious problem-solving requires effort. The researchers suggest reducing unnecessary decisions: set clear criteria, accept an option that is good enough, or ask a trusted person for advice. Choice can be valuable, they say, but it may be easier to feel satisfied when people do not treat every decision as a search for perfection.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Modern life offers an almost (1) range of products, plans, and entertainment. Yet behavioral scientists say that having more options does not always make people feel freer. In many situations, it can lead to (2) , delayed decisions, and disappointment after a choice is made.
Barry Schwartz, an emeritus psychology professor at Swarthmore College and author of The Paradox of Choice, says research has repeatedly found that too many options can discourage (3) . He points to studies of retirement plans, where employees were less likely to sign up when their companies offered more investment choices. In another well-known study, grocery shoppers bought more jam when they could choose from six flavors than when they faced 24.
The problem is not simply that comparing options takes time. Schwartz says a large number of possibilities can make people fear choosing (4) . Even after selecting a good option, they may keep (5) whether another one would have been better. This can be especially difficult for “maximizers” — people who feel that only the best choice is acceptable.
Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, says the brain often prefers familiar routines because serious problem-solving requires (6) . The researchers suggest reducing unnecessary decisions: set clear criteria, accept an option that is good enough, or ask a trusted person for advice. Choice can be valuable, they say, but it may be easier to feel satisfied when people do not treat every decision as a search for perfection.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- Too many choices can make decisions harder, so simple limits can help people feel satisfied. Correct answer
- People make better decisions when they compare every option and choose the best one.
- Familiar routines matter most because people should avoid making difficult decisions.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Having many options can sometimes make people feel anxious instead of free. TRUEFALSE True
2. In the jam study, shoppers bought more jam when they chose from 24 flavors. TRUEFALSE False
3. The researchers suggest that people can feel more satisfied by accepting a choice that is good enough. TRUEFALSE True
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. Why does the article describe too much choice as a problem?
a) People may spend less money when products are similar.
b) More options can make it harder to decide and feel satisfied afterward.Correct
c) People usually prefer familiar products to new ones.
2. What happened when companies offered more investment choices in retirement plans?
a) Employees were less likely to sign up.Correct
b) Employees were more likely to sign up.
c) Employees stopped comparing the plans.
3. Who are “maximizers”?
a) People who choose familiar routines
b) People who ask others for advice
c) People who feel only the best choice is acceptableCorrect
4. Why does the brain often prefer familiar routines, according to Daniel Willingham?
a) Serious problem-solving requires effort.Correct
b) Familiar routines offer more choices.
c) Serious problem-solving feels freer.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. makee) a choice
2. delayd) a decision
3. familiarc) routines
4. set clearb) criteria
5. search fora) perfection
a) perfection
b) criteria
c) routines
d) a decision
e) a choice
New Sentences
Choose the best word for each new sentence.
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The long wait for the test results gave Maya a feeling of {blank}.
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The coach did not want to {blank} young players from joining the team.
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The family made an {blank} in a small shop and hoped it would earn money later.
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To choose a new apartment, they used three {blank}: price, location, and size.
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It is a {blank} that technology can save us time but also make us feel busier.
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Wanting {blank} can make it hard to finish a school project.
New Sentences
anxiety / behavioral scientist / criteria / discourage / investment / maximize / paradox / perfection
- The long wait for the test results gave Maya a feeling of .
- The coach did not want to young players from joining the team.
- The family made an in a small shop and hoped it would earn money later.
- To choose a new apartment, they used three : price, location, and size.
- It is a that technology can save us time but also make us feel busier.
- Wanting can make it hard to finish a school project.
Discussion Builder
1) Expressing concession 2) Giving a reason
Q: Do you usually enjoy having a lot of choice, or do you prefer a smaller selection? Why?
A:Q: If you could reduce one type of choice in your daily life, what would it be, and what would you do with the extra time or energy?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: Do you usually enjoy having a lot of choice, or do you prefer a smaller selection? Why?
A: Having many options can be useful, too much choice can make decisions more difficult.
although / because / unless
Having many options can be useful, although too much choice can make decisions more difficult.
Q: If you could reduce one type of choice in your daily life, what would it be, and what would you do with the extra time or energy?
A: I would reduce the number of streaming choices it's too hard to find something to watch.
because / although / unless
I would reduce the number of streaming choices because it's too hard to find something to watch.
Discussion Questions
- Do you usually enjoy having a lot of choice, or do you prefer a smaller selection? Why?
- The article mentions jam flavors. What everyday product becomes harder to buy when there are too many versions of it?
- Do you think online shopping makes choice easier, harder, or both? Give an example.
- What criteria do you use when choosing a restaurant, a phone, or a place to travel?
- Do you know someone who seems to search for perfection before making a decision? How does this affect them?
- When do you ask a trusted person for advice before making a choice? When do you prefer to decide alone?
- The word “paradox” describes two surprising ideas that are both true. What other paradoxes can you find in modern life, such as in technology, work, or social media?
- If you could reduce one type of choice in your daily life, what would it be, and what would you do with the extra time or energy?
Discussion Questions
- Do you usually enjoy having a lot of choice, or do you prefer a smaller selection? Why?
- The article mentions jam flavors. What everyday product becomes harder to buy when there are too many versions of it?
- Do you think online shopping makes choice easier, harder, or both? Give an example.
- What criteria do you use when choosing a restaurant, a phone, or a place to travel?
- Do you know someone who seems to search for perfection before making a decision? How does this affect them?
- When do you ask a trusted person for advice before making a choice? When do you prefer to decide alone?
- The word “paradox” describes two surprising ideas that are both true. What other paradoxes can you find in modern life, such as in technology, work, or social media?
- If you could reduce one type of choice in your daily life, what would it be, and what would you do with the extra time or energy?
Answers
Listening: (1) endless, (2) anxiety, (3) action, (4) badly, (5) wondering, (6) effort
Main Idea: Too many choices can make decisions harder, so simple limits can help people feel satisfied.
True or False:
- True. The story says that a large number of choices can lead to anxiety, delayed decisions, and disappointment.
- False. Shoppers bought more jam when there were six flavors than when there were 24 choices.
- True. They recommend reducing unnecessary decisions and not treating every choice as a search for perfection.
Multiple Choice: b, a, c, a
Vocabulary:
- make: a choice
- delay: a decision
- familiar: routines
- set clear: criteria
- search for: perfection
New Sentences: 1. anxiety; 2. discourage; 3. investment; 4. criteria; 5. paradox; 6. perfection
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Expressing concession. 2) Giving a reason.
- although
- because