Ei Videos & Talks · Companion quiz

All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes

Andy Puddicombe · TED · 15 questions

Watch the video, then explore its subject through concept questions and everyday examples. This companion quiz includes applications and supporting reading; it is not a verbatim transcript test.

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Choose one answer for each question. Select Check my answers to see your score and an explanation for every answer. Your answers are not submitted or saved.

1. What is the main invitation of this talk?A. Make time for present-moment awarenessB. Eliminate every thoughtC. Avoid all responsibilitiesD. Stay busy constantly

2. What is a useful response when attention wanders?A. Condemn yourselfB. Notice it and gently returnC. Stop foreverD. Force your mind blank

3. Which activity offers a simple attention anchor?A. Predict tomorrowB. Replay every mistakeC. Notice your breathingD. Compare your worth

4. Which expectation misunderstands mindfulness?A. Notice experienceB. Allow thoughts to ariseC. Practice regularlyD. Never have another thought

5. Which example brings attention to the present?A. Notice the sound you can hear nowB. Plan every possible disasterC. Judge the past repeatedlyD. Guess what everyone thinks

6. How can you relate to an intrusive thought during practice?A. Treat it as a commandB. Notice it without immediately following itC. Assume it predicts the futureD. Punish yourself for it

7. Which response supports a workable habit?A. Wait for ideal conditionsB. Practice only onceC. Choose a realistic time and repeatD. Demand instant transformation

8. What does a distracted session mean?A. You are incapableB. The practice is uselessC. You must feel ashamedD. You noticed something to work with

9. Which approach is curious rather than condemning?A. What am I noticing?B. Why am I defective?C. Why must my mind obey?D. Who is better than me?

10. Which is a realistic goal for a short practice?A. Guarantee lifelong calmB. Become more familiar with your current experienceC. Cure every illnessD. Control another person

11. What distinguishes observing worry from rehearsing it?A. Observation proves the worryB. Observation requires more predictionsC. Observation notices the process without pursuing every scenarioD. Both require certainty

12. Which response fits a busy day?A. Give up permanentlyB. Wait until life has no demandsC. Blame yourselfD. Make room for a manageable pause

13. What can you do after noticing tension?A. Observe it and choose a helpful next actionB. Assume danger is certainC. Demand immediate perfectionD. Ignore your circumstances

14. What supports returning after a missed day?A. Self-condemnationB. Resume at the next realistic opportunityC. Conclude you failed foreverD. Compare yourself with others

15. What does this score measure?A. Your healthB. Your worthC. Your understanding of these questionsD. Your lifelong mindfulness

Answer key and explanations

A. The talk encourages a brief period of mindful attention.
B. Returning attention is part of practice.
C. An anchor gives attention somewhere to return.
D. Awareness does not require a permanently blank mind.
A. Present attention concerns what is occurring now.
B. A thought can be noticed without directing your behavior.
C. A realistic routine makes repetition easier.
D. Noticing distraction provides an opportunity to return.
A. Curiosity invites observation.
B. Awareness is a practice goal rather than a universal promise.
C. You can notice worrying without expanding its story.
D. A modest pause can be easier to maintain.
A. Observation can inform an action.
B. Resuming is more useful than treating a lapse as a verdict.
C. A learning score describes this exercise.

Supporting reading

Puddicombe, A. (2012). All It Takes Is 10 Mindful Minutes [Video]. TED. Original talk