The paradox of choice - Unit 3

C1 Advanced · Open Cloze · Complete Advanced Workbook, Cambridge University Press

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning.

Modern industrial societies promote the view that choice equals freedom, and for the (0) ___ part, that is true. According to psychologist, Barry Schwartz, (1) ___ is in doubt is the belief that if some choice is good, more choice must be better. Choice abounds in every part of our lives, from which product to buy to whether to get married. According to Schwartz, this over-abundance of choice is partly (2) ___ blame for the fact that depression and feelings of inadequacy are (3) ___ the rise. Multiple options offer people little or (4) ___ benefit in terms of overall quality of life. Companies have (5) ___ note of this: some major supermarkets have decided to reduce the number of options available, as it is more profitable to do (6) ___ , reducing customer confusion in the process. (7) ___ of lower prices and better service, it led to anxiety and consumer inactivity. In many areas of life, it seems that having a choice can sometimes cause more difficulties than having (8) ___ .

The paradox of choice

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