Video comprehension · Science · B2

Smarter people do worse

On some maths problems, the better you are with numbers, the more likely you are to get it wrong. How is that possible? The answer has more to do with politics than with maths.

Watch the video

Watch the whole video once (the last two minutes are an advert: you can stop at 12:20). Don't worry if you don't understand everything!

Video: On These Math Problems, Smarter People Do Worse, from the YouTube channel Veritasium.

How to work

  1. 1

    Check what you understood

    General comprehension

    Part by part, the main ideas: a tricky table, a political twist and why we think like our tribe.

  2. 2

    Listen for the details

    Detailed comprehension

    Now listen for the details: numbers, names and the exact words of the video.

  3. 3

    Learn the key words

    Vocabulary

    Research, politics and beliefs: match the words, then watch the video again. How much more can you understand now?

  4. 4

    For scientists only

    Going further

    The statistics behind the study: proportions, control groups, random assignment and motivated reasoning. Really meant for students with a strong scientific background.

  5. 5

    At any time

    Vocabulary list

    All the key words, sorted by theme, with a self-test.

  6. 6

    Your turn to write

    Food for thought

    Can facts change our minds? Do social networks divide us? Choose a topic and give your opinion.