Memory
Which principle explains why retrieving a fact strengthens memory more than rereading?
A. Massed practice
B. Testing effect (retrieval practice)
C. Context-dependent forgetting
B. Testing effect (retrieval practice)
Why is rewriting notes word-for-word ineffective?
A. It strengthens semantic encoding
B. It’s passive and lacks elaboration
C. It automatically creates retrieval cues
B. It’s passive and lacks elaboration
Why underline words like “NOT” in a question?
A. It increases visual appeal
B. It counters the brain’s default yes-bias
C. It makes guessing easier
B. It counters the brain’s default yes-bias
Which is TRUE about “visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles”?
A. Teaching to a student’s preferred style dramatically boosts learning
B. Evidence shows matching style doesn’t improve outcomes; varied methods help everyone
C. Purely visual learners cannot benefit from lectures
B. Evidence shows matching style doesn’t improve outcomes; varied methods help everyone
Which brain region is most critical for consolidating declarative memories during sleep?
A. Amygdala
B. Cerebellum
C. Hippocampus
C. Hippocampus
For a test in two weeks, first review ideally occurs: A. About 1–2 days after first learning, then spaced further apart B. The night before the exam
C. Immediately after each lecture only
A. About 1–2 days after first learning, then spaced further apart
How does deep breathing lower test anxiety?
A. Activates sympathetic fight-or-flight
B. Increases cortisol release
C. Stimulates the parasympathetic system to slow heart rate
C. Stimulates the parasympathetic system to slow heart rate
Listening to music with lyrics always improves study focus.
A. True—it stimulates both brain hemispheres
B. True only for math problems
C. False—lyrics often compete with verbal processing and hurt comprehension
C. False—lyrics often compete with verbal processing and hurt comprehension
Why do “desirable difficulties” improve long-term retention?
A. They allow more passive exposure
B. They create effortful retrieval, strengthening memory pathways
C. They reduce cognitive load to near zero
B. They create effortful retrieval, strengthening memory pathways
Which strategy helps prevent the illusion of knowing when reviewing microbiology slides?
A. Highlighting every key term for visibility
B. Re-reading notes silently before bed
C. Covering the slide titles and explaining the process aloud from memory
C. Covering the slide titles and explaining the process aloud from memory
Why alternate easy and hard questions mid-exam?
A. It confuses the prefrontal cortex
B. It allows brief recovery periods and improves working-memory efficiency
C. It lowers total retrieval attempts
B. It allows brief recovery periods and improves working-memory efficiency
Highlighting large sections of text is a highly effective way to learn.
A. True—more color equals stronger memory
B. False—highlighting alone creates an illusion of knowing
C. True only if you use neon yellow
B. False—highlighting alone creates an illusion of knowing
The “generation effect” refers to:
A. Remembering better when you produce the answer yourself B. Remembering better when information is provided to you C. Forgetting faster after self-testing
A. Remembering better when you produce the answer yourself
When scheduling study for a weekly 60-slide lecture, which plan uses the spacing effect most effectively?
A. Two 30-minute sessions spread over two days
B. One 60-minute cram the night before
C. Reviewing only during the next lecture
A. Two 30-minute sessions spread over two days
Why draft a 1-minute outline before writing an essay?
A. It wastes time but looks organized
B. It organizes retrieval cues and reduces cognitive load
C. It decreases memory consolidation
B. It organizes retrieval cues and reduces cognitive load
Regular use of commercial brain games dramatically raises IQ.
A. True—evidence shows permanent IQ gains
B. True only if used daily for six months
C. False—benefits are limited to the tasks practiced, not general intelligence
C. False—benefits are limited to the tasks practiced, not general intelligence