Reading Comprehension 10 (II term)

10 Ways to Improve Your Memory

A good memory is often seen as something that comes naturally, and a bad memory as something that cannot be changed, but actually there is a lot that you can do to improve your memory. However, it does mean taking responsibility and making an effort. Here are the experts’ top tips.

We all remember the things we are interested in and forget the ones that bore us. This no doubt explains the reason why schoolboys remember football results effortlessly but struggle with dates from their history lessons! Take an active interest in what you want to remember, and focus on it consciously. One way to make yourself more interested is to ask questions – the more the better. 

Repeating things is the best way to remember things for a short time, e.g. remembering a phone number for a few seconds. ‘Chunking’ or grouping numbers would be impossible for most of us to remember: 1492178919318483. But look at them in ‘chunks’, and it becomes much easier: 1492 1789 1931 8483.  

Another way to make something more memorable is to think about something visual associated with it. Design a mental picture and the stranger the picture the better you will remember it! If an English person studying Spanish wanted to remember the Spanish word for duck, ‘pato’, he\she could associate it with the English verb ‘to pat’ and imagine a picture of someone patting a duck on the head. 

To remember long lists, try inventing a story that includes all the items you want to remember. In experiments, people were asked to remember up to 120 words using this technique and when they were tested afterwards, on average they could remember ninety percent of them. 

If we organize what we know in a logical way then when we learn more about that subject we understand that better, and so add to our knowledge more easily. Make well-organised notes. Be sure things are clear in your mind. If not, ask questions until you understand! 

Many experts believe that listening to classical music, especially Mozart, helps people to organize their ideas more clearly and so improves their memory. Sadly, rock music does not have the same effect. 

If you do not want to lose your memory as you get older you need to keep your brain fit, just like your body: ‘use it or lose it’ is the experts’ advice. Logic puzzles, crosswords, and mental arithmetic are all good ‘mental aerobics’.  (line 31)

Physical exercise is also important for your memory because it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your brain, and that makes your memory work better. Exercise also reduces stress, which is very bad for memory.

The old saying that ‘eating fish makes you brainy’ may be true after all. Scientists have discovered that the fats found in fish like tuna, sardines, and salmon – as well as in olive oil – help to improve the memory. Vitamins C and E (found in fruits like oranges, strawberries, and red grapes) and vitamin B (found in lean meat and green vegetables) are all good ‘brain food’, too.

Caffeine may not be too good for you, but like exercise, it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your brain. A cup of coffee really does help you concentrate when you sit down and study. And if you don't like coffee, don’t worry – experts believe that chewing gum has the same effect!

Question 1

According to the first paragraph a good memory is ________.

Question 2

What does the author mean by saying that ‘you need to keep your brain fit’ (line 31)?

Question 3

Which of the following can be inferred from the text?

Question 4

According to the text, which of the following is true of ways to improve your memory?

Question 5

When discussing the ways of improving the memory, the author mentions all of the following EXCEPT ________.

Question 6

According to the text, which of the following statements is true?

Read the text below. Match choices (A – H) to (7 – 11). There are three choices you do not need to use.

7 ____________

Some people need total quiet, while others can study well with music in the background. The key is to find a comfortable place and study there regularly, such as a kitchen table, a desk, a favorite chair, a bed, etc.

8 _____________

Study a little every night instead of cramming late the night before the test. A good night’s sleep helps. Bleary eyes and a tired body do not.

9 _____________

In the department store aisles, there are boxes and boxes of binders, folders and organizational tools. For every class, prepare a binder, a folder or a notebook. There should be a place for class notes, handouts and homework assignments. Some of the larger binders can accommodate all classes. It is really a matter of personal choice; just keep papers separated by class.

10 _____________

One great way to study is to make a list of the important information from a chapter and write it in your own words. Copy down any words that are written in bold or in italics. Look at chapter headings, section headings and review sections at the end of a chapter for other important information to add to your study guide. Merge this information with class notes.

11 ____________

Studying takes time and effort. Get organized, ask for help and put forth effort into improving your study habits now. The lessons taught in middle school are building blocks for high school and college. Starting good study habits now will help you later in life. It does take more effort to study and to become organized.