The value of unfinished work
A short talk with five questions on the main idea, details and speaker intention.
Playback speed
The transcript unlocks after you complete the exercise.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Let's practice
Try it yourself
Exercise completed!
0 / 5 correct · 0%
Practice my mistakesBack to my daily planReview answers & explanations
What assumption does the speaker challenge?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Only visible launches count as productive work
The speaker argues that ruling out an impractical approach also creates value.
Why might a negative finding be valuable?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: It can prevent a costly mistake
Discovering that an approach is impractical can avoid wasting resources.
What limit does the speaker place on exploration?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: It needs boundaries and a review point
The speaker specifies a question, proportionate budget and evidence review.
What risk follows from rewarding only promised outcomes?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: People may conceal uncertainty or prolong weak projects
Career incentives may encourage disguising uncertainty or continuing unsuitable work.
What reporting culture does the speaker favour?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: One that treats supported negative results fairly
Negative findings should be reportable without being framed as triumphs or personal failures.
What assumption does the speaker challenge?
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Only visible launches count as productive work
The speaker argues that ruling out an impractical approach also creates value.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It can prevent a costly mistake
Discovering that an approach is impractical can avoid wasting resources.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It needs boundaries and a review point
The speaker specifies a question, proportionate budget and evidence review.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: People may conceal uncertainty or prolong weak projects
Career incentives may encourage disguising uncertainty or continuing unsuitable work.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: One that treats supported negative results fairly
Negative findings should be reportable without being framed as triumphs or personal failures.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
When I completely embarrassed myself
8 min · Monologue
Advanced Present Simple & Present Continuous
15 min · Advanced grammar
Nuance and persuasion
10 min · Education
The limits of a useful measure
10 min · Opinion essay
Language in context
15 min · Mixed practice
A balanced critical essay
10 min · Writing
Can't find the English topic you need? Request a lesson or test.
