TED Talk Material 1

Video Link:
https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_de_la_rosa_3_sneaky_tactics_that_websites_use_to_make_yo
u_spend/transcript?language=en

A. Answer the questions below.

1. What do you usually shop for?
2. Do you have favorite places/websites to shop for? Why do you prefer them?

B. Look at the glossary given below and watch the TED Talks video called “3 sneaky tactics that
websites use to make you spend” by Wendy De La Rosa, a behavioral scientist. In the video, she
talks about strategies that make you spend your money and how not to fall for them.

Glossary:
pull out all of the stops (idiom): to do everything you can to make something successful
counteract (v): to do something to reduce or prevent the bad or harmful effects of
something
gimmick (n): something invented esp. for the purpose of attracting attention and that has
no other purpose or value
accrue (v): to increase in amount over a period of time
entice (v): to attract someone by offering something pleasant or advantageous
temptation (n): to the wish to do or have something that you know you should not
lure (v): to attract someone to do something by offering them something exciting
itch for something (v): to want to do something very much and as soon as possible
incognito browser (n): it lets you browse the web without saving your browsing history
veer (v): to change direction
tune (sth/sb) out (phr.): to ignore someone or not give your attention to something

Prepared by Ece Er
C. Talk about the video: answer the questions below in pairs:

1. What are the strategies that websites use to make you

want to buy something according to Wendy De La Rosa?
2. Why does Wendy De La Rosa mention the experiment with
lab rats?
3. Wendy De La Rosa recommends some tactics not to be
tricked by those strategies used by websites. What are
they?
4. What is wrong with installment plans according to Wendy
De La Rosa?

D. Reflect on the video and answer the questions in pairs:

Before you answer a question, first you should think of your opinion and your reasons. In
other words, you should think of the structure/organization of your answer. Think of your
opinion and reasons for the opinion questions given below. Take notes, but do not write full
sentences. First student A should give an answer to question 1 and student B should listen
without interrupting and then Student B should answer the same question and student A
should listen. This should be repeated for the other questions as well.

1. Why do you think the number of people who prefer online shopping has increased?

Opinion »

Reasons »

Example »

2. What causes people to buy things they don’t actually need?

Opinion »

Reasons »

Example »

3. Do you prefer online shopping or going to a mall when you want to buy something?
Please explain with examples.

Experience »

Details »

Prepared by Ece Er
 4. There are environmental projects like “buy nothing” which encourage people to buy
less and instead reduce, reuse, recycle and share. Do you think it is possible to reduce
the load of the planet by changing shopping behaviors of people?

Opinion »

Reasons »

Example »

5. A decade ago we wouldn’t imagine we could shop online for nearly everything such as
food, tickets, clothes, etc. What do you think shopping experience of the future will look
like?

Opinion »

Reasons »

Example »

You can end your answer with a concluding

sentence, which briefly restates your opinion.

Prepared by Ece Er