Assignment #2 Listening and Reading Comprehension

TEDxLondonBusinessSchool May 2019 ‘The counterintuitive way to be more persuasive’ by

Niro Sivanathan, organizational psychologist (10:41)

Download and complete this assignment in Word; write the answers on the downloaded document. Find the
folder in Assessments, Assignments to upload your completed work before it is due on October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

1. Read through this assignment, then listen two times to the Ted talk posted below.
(Please, turn off the subtitles so you can focus on hearing the words. You can adjust the presenter’s
speaking speed if you click on the settings icon in the bottom-right corner of the video screen.)

https://www.ted.com/talks/niro_sivanathan_the_counterintuitive_way_to_be_more_persuasive#t-581470

2. In the beginning of Niro Sivanathan’s TED talk, what are the main differences in the two
sets of dinnerware?

3. Now, open the English transcript and read it to check your listening comprehension.

4. In the end, why should you stick to your strong arguments?

5. Find the bolded words in the transcript. Replace/change each bolded word or phrase
without changing the meaning of the sentence. If using a dictionary, check the meaning
of suggested words to be sure they fit in this context.
a. you rush to the store
b. a clever experiment
c. includes all the elements you would get
d. to spend roughly half
e. what you’re witnessing here
f. dilute our overall perceived value
g. their message was sound
h. reduce the weight of your overall argument
i. a hurried voice-over that blurts out
j. the drug’s overall severity to be significantly lower

6. Choose three of these bolded words or phrases important for your vocabulary. Write
one sentence for each example you choose that shows you understand the meaning in
this story’s context.
a.
b.
c.
7. In one paragraph, describe an experience of persuading someone, or of being
persuaded yourself, to do something.