TED Talks Comprehension Questions
Mid to high level listening worksheets on a variety of interesting topics. The worksheets ask questions on main ideas and supporting details / examples. These TED Talks sheets are a good way to practice and improve listening.
TED Talks Listening Topics
‘new’ = new lessons for 2022
The Great Firewall of China – Michael Anti
TED TALK: How the central government controls the internet and how a number of micro-bloggers are finding ways around this control.The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [18:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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15x TED Talk PDF Worksheets
1.China Firewall, 2.Warehouses, 3.Office work 4.End of world 5.Global Future 6.Incovenient Truth 7.Insist on English 8.Texting English 9.Social Progress 10.Price of Happiness 11.Philosophy of Success 12. Domestic Violence 13.Viral Videos 14.Doctors’ Prescriptions 15. Team Building
AMAZING VALUE – buy all these listening worksheets in one PDF book. Book Example.
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A.I Save Humanity
How can A.I save humanity? – Kai Fu Lee,
TED TALK: This lecture discusses how China has embraced A.I technology and is accelerating its advancement. It focuses on the main challenges that we all face with an A.I future and how it will positively compliment our lives.The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [14:42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Brexit
Why Brexit happened and what to do next – Alexander Betts 
TED TALK: This lecture discusses the reasons why Brexit happened and how the UK can move forward post Brexit. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [17:15] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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China’s Air Pollution
How China is (and isn’t) fighting air pollution– Angel Hsu
TED TALK: The lecture discusses the issue of air pollution in China. The speaker talks about fine particulate pollution, actions of the Chinese citizens to raise awareness of the issue and the Chinese government’s measures to help combat the issue. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [12:09] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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China’s Firewall
The Great Firewall of China – Michael Anti
TED TALK: How the central government controls the internet and how a number of micro-bloggers are finding ways around this control. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [18:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Circular Economy
The circular economy: a simple explanation by Cillian Lohan
TED Talk: A short listening lecture on what is the circular economy, how humans are the stewards of the earth and have a responsibility to protect it and examples of how the circular economy works. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level ***** [B2/C1] / Video [13.13] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Reading Test: The Circular Economy
The text provides an overview of both the linear and circular economy. It discusses the positive aspects of a circular economy and how economies can change to this new model.The reading test worksheet tests headings / T,F,NG / open answers / gap fill / information tables / reference words / vocabulary. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Circular Economy. Reading & Summary Writing Lesson
The text provides an overview of both the linear and circular economy. It discusses the positive aspects of a circular economy and how economies can change to this new model. The lesson includes a critical thinking worksheet too. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Climate Change
How we could change the planet’s climate future – David Wallace
TED TALK: The lecture discusses the causes of climate change, effects of climate change especially on cities in South Asia and the Middle East and the solutions to prevent the climate from getting warmer. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [11:12] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Critical Thinking Tips
5 tips to improve critical thinking – Samantha Agoos
TED TALK: This lecture discusses briefly what is critical thinking and five key strategies to apply to improve critical thinking. It is a good listening as an introduction to criticality. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [4:16] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Doctor’s Prescriptions
Doctors and the drugs they prescribe – Ben Goldacre
TED TALK: Corruption and bias in medical trials and academic institutions. A range of evidence on research misconduct and fake fixes. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [13:29] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence victims – Leslie Morgan Steiner
TED TALK: The secrets of domestic violence, and the four key steps to domestic abuse. How to leave a relationship of domestic abuse. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [/B2/C1] / Video [15:59] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Don’t Insist on English
Don’t insist on English – Patricia Ryan
TED TALK: The globalisation of English and its testing systems can have negative affects on students from various backgrounds. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B1/B2/] / Video [10:35] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Don’t insist on English – Patricia Ryan
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off PowerPoint slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
End of the World
10 ways the world could end – Stephan Petranek
TED TALK: A discussion of ten probable disasters, with examples and possible solutions. A detailed talk from an established colonisation scientist. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [29:42] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Critical Thinking: Ethical Dilemmas
Would you sacrifice one person to save five? – Eleanor Nelson
TED TALK: This lecture discusses an ethical dilemma called ‘The Trolley Problem’ devised by Philippa Foot (1967). It highlights why this type of ethical analysis is important in contemporary society. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [4:35] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Global Future
Navigating our global future – Ian Goldin
TED TALK: Discussing the future fragility of society and the environment. The speaker offers possible solutions for a more focused future. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [07:06] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Government Deficit
The big myth of government deficits – Stephanie Kelton
TED TALK: The lecture discusses how government debt can be seen viewed positively. The speaker makes the case to stop looking at government spending as a path towards frightening piles of debt, but rather as a financial contribution to the things that matter. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [13:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Higher Education
Three ways to lower the barriers to higher education – Adrian K. Haugabrook
TED TALK: The lecture discusses how less than 7% of people worldwide have a bachelor’s degree. The speaker introduces an innovative approach to expanding access to higher education by driving down costs and rethinking three key things.The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [13:11] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Inconvenient Truth
The other inconvenient truth – Jonathan Foley
TED TALK: World’s food demand has driven climate change, biodiversity problems and environmental destruction. ‘Terraculture’ is a possible solution. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [17:46] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Internet Inequality
Why a free and fair internet is more vital than ever – Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa
TED TALK: A short lecture on digital discrimination. The speaker calls for collective access to the opportunities and potential the internet provides, underscoring the necessity of free and fair digital rights for all. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Webpage link. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [09:23] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Investing in People
What makes a job good and the case for investing in people – Warren Valdmanis
TED TALK: The lecture discusses how businesses need to stop cutting labor costs and start investing in people. The speaker breaks down the essential ingredients of a “good” job and shares why they’re key to building great companies.The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [11:11] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Making Methane from Rubbish
Taking trash talk to a whole new level – Peter Harris
TED TALK: The lecturer discusses how road transport related emissions could be significantly reduced by using waste-derived methane as a fuel. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [09:55] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Obesity
Obesity: the modern famine – Kathy Campbell
TED TALK: A short lecture on obesity. The lecturer talks about who is obese, why they are obese and why culture is the foundation of a healthy life. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [13:39] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Office Work Problems
Why work doesn’t happen at work – Jason Fried
TED TALK: the problems with working in an office environment & highlights two main reasons and three possible improvement solutions. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, PPT, critical thinking questions and an answer key.Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [15:21] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Why work doesn’t happen at work – Jason Fried
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT. and also created a video that connects to the PPT: Video.
Authentic idea! Print off PPT slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
Philosophy of Success
A gentler philosophy of success – Alain de Botton
TED TALK: Society is too focused on careers, materialism & what others’ think. True success is to change our focus & examine our own philosophy of life. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [16:51] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Plant-based Diets
The power of plant-based eating – Dr. Joanne Kong
TED TALK: A short lecture on the power of plant-based eating. The speaker talks about the benefits of eating plant-based, the issue of consuming meat to the economy and the unethical side of meat production. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [14:54] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Price of Happiness
The price of happiness – Benjamin Wallace
TED TALK: Analysis of 12 top luxury products from a hotel suite to nano-particle soap. Concludes with a study from Stanford University. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [14:41] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Procrastination
Procrastination: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – Tim Urban
TED TALK: A really funny talk on three characters that play an important part in the mind of a procrastinator. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, PPT, critical thinking questions and an answer key. (see example). Level ***** [B2/C1] Video [14.00] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Procrastination: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – Tim Urban
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off PPT slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
More lessons on Procrastination. Go here.
Reality of Truth
How to see past your own perspective and find truth – Michael Patrick Lynch
TED TALK: This lecture discusses how we have become all polarised in our shared values and need to apply three concepts to create a common reality of truth. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [C1] / Video [14:19] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
The Social Progress Index
The Social Progress Index – Michael Green
TED TALK: GDP is out-dated and was invented in the 1930s. There is a need for a more effective measurement tool – The social Progress Index. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [14:56] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Tax Evasion
Tax avoidance: a necessary evil by Alexandre Stylianoudis
TED Talk: In this short (12 minute) lecture, the speaker explains how MNCs use the ‘double Irish Dutch sandwich’ to significantly reduce their tax liabilities. He also explains why many corporations have left their home countries and have set up in London instead. The listening test consists of ten comprehension questions, six critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level ***** [B2/C1] / Video [12.27] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Reading Test: Tax evasion & tax avoidance
This reading text is about tax evasion and tax avoidance. The writer discusses the methods some multinational corporations (MNCs) and rich individuals use to reduce or avoid paying tax and puts forward some suggestions to mitigate this issue. The reading test worksheet includes: headings / T,F,NG / open answers / gap fill / information tables / reference words / vocabulary. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Tax Evasion: Reading & Summary Writing Lesson
This reading text is about tax evasion and tax avoidance. The writer discusses the methods some MNCs and rich individuals use to reduce or avoid paying tax and puts forward some suggestions to mitigate this issue The summary writing task consists of a note-taking worksheet, a summary writing task, critical thinking questions, sample notes, a sample summary and sample critical thinking answers.. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Team Building
Build a tower, build a team – Tom Wujec
TED TALK: This talks discusses how a team-building activity called the ‘Marshmallow Challenge’ helps develop team cohesion. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [06:44] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Build a tower, build a team – Tom Wujec
AEUK has created a PowerPoint for this talk: Download PPT.
Authentic idea! Print off PowerPoint slides (3 slides per page) and add notes while you listen, then answer the question sheet.
Activity lesson: Team-building and the Marshmallow Challenge. Go here.
Texting Language
Texting is killing language – John McWhorter
TED TALK: How texting on smart phones is changing the way we view language and how it is a process of linguistic evolution. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [13:48] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Viral Videos
Why videos go Viral – Kevin Alloca
TED TALK: You Tube trends manager discusses viral videos are connected to three important factors and how audience participation is important. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Video [07:21] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Warehouses
What happens inside massive warehouses – Mick Mountz
TED Talk: The automation of warehouse picking and packing systems and how robots have increased productivity and efficiency. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example of worksheet Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [12:06] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Wind Energy
How wind energy could power the Earth… 18 times over – Dan Jørgensen
TED TALK: A short lecture on how the wind power industry has grown exponentially. The speaker, Denmark’s climate minister Dan Jørgensen, lays out his plan to end the country’s oil industry by 2050 and transition to a fossil-free future powered by wind energy. The lesson includes teacher’s notes, comprehension questions, critical thinking questions and an answer key. Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [09:23] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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TED Talks PDF Book
15x TED Talk PDF Worksheets
1.China Firewall, 2.Warehouses, 3.Office work 4.End of world 5.Global Future 6.Incovenient Truth 7.Insist on English 8.Texting English 9.Social Progress 10.Price of Happiness 11.Philosophy of Success 12. Domestic Violence 13.Viral Videos 14.Doctors’ Prescriptions 15. Team Building
AMAZING VALUE – buy all these listening worksheets in one PDF book. Book Example.
TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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