Transcripts
6.2 When we talk about memory we should remember that there are actually three types of memory and they are all used in the process of remembering something for a period of time. There is sensory memory, then there is working memory. Finally, there is long-term memory. These act as a kind of filter because we receive massive amounts of information and, of course, we don’t want to store it all. The process begins when we receive information or stimuli. These stimuli could be through something we see, hear, touch, smell, and so on, and they are received by our sensory memory. The sensory memory is capable of receiving huge amounts of information but it can’t retain much, nor can it hold the information for a long time. It can hold three to seven units of information and only for less than a second. Most of the information received will then be forgotten. However, the working memory will pay attention to any information that seems important, while ignoring any information that doesn’t. In the working memory, about seven units can be stored for a maximum of 30 seconds. This is if the information is not repeated. However, the more often information is repeated, or used, the higher the chance that it will move through to the long- term memory. As this process occurs, it is put into a kind of code so that it can be stored. As the name suggests, the long-term memory can potentially remember information forever, for a lifetime. Again, this is achieved through repetition. And there are no limits to how much information can be stored in the long-term memory. In other words, the capacity is infinite. When a memory is needed at a later time, it can then be retrieved from the long-term memory and into the working memory.
6.3 a How do you remember the number of days in each month? Well, you could try looking at your hands! Make two fists and start to count the months of the year on your knuckles from the left and the spaces between. In this way, each knuckle is a month with 31 days, and each space is a month with 30 days. Or 28 or 29 in the case of February.
b The number pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and it is very useful for mathematicians. However, because the number is extremely long, people use mnemonics to remember as much of the number as possible. One way is to think of a sentence and use the number of letters in each word to represent the numbers in pi. The first eight numbers in pi are 3.1415926. So we can use the sentence ‘May I have a large container of coffee?’. ‘May’ is three letters, ‘I’ is one letter, ‘have’ is four letters, and so on.
c The relationship between spelling and pronunciation in English is not at all simple. Sometimes mnemonics can help. For example, the phrase ‘when two vowels go walking, the first does the talking’ means the sound of a word is similar to the first vowel in that word. So ‘meat’ sounds like ‘e’, ‘brain’ sounds like ‘a’, and so on. But of course, there are exceptions.
200 English for the 21st Century • Transcripts
d The order of the colours of the rainbow are not easy to remember and that’s why there are lots of mnemonics to help us. ‘Richard of York gave battle in vain’ is just one example where the first letter of each word is the same as the first letter of the colour. So, Richard – red, of – orange, York – yellow, gave – green, battle – blue, in – indigo, vain – violet.
6.4 a coat, load, approach, board b rain, paint, failure, said c mean, ceiling, height, clean
6.5 a There is a type of barnacle here in Northern Spain and they are called ‘percebes’. The barnacles stick to the side of the rock. You can eat them and they are very popular in restaurants around Europe. I was collecting them yesterday. It’s dangerous work but I can make good money.
b I have to get the train to and from work, it’s really busy. I don’t enjoy it, but it’s the best way to get to work.
c I graduated from university last week. Studying for my degree has been hard work. My graduation ceremony was a really proud moment for me. I feel amazing!
d I’m afraid of heights but I dived in the water anyway. All my friends were doing it and I didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t!
Slideshow – Your mind is playing tricks on you Presenter Hello, and welcome to another episode of Topchat – the show that answers all the big questions and lots of the small ones too. The question we’re asking this week is ‘Is your mind playing tricks on you?’ With us is Professor Sarah Bellamy, a leading expert in the fascinating area of cognitive science. Hello, Professor!
Sarah Sarah Call me Sarah, please! Hello, Paul. Hello, everyone!
Presenter OK, Sarah it is. Now, as I say, Sarah is a big expert in the science of the mind, but she’s promised not to get too technical with us today.
Yes – I’ll try not to use too much jargon. Let me know if I start waffling too much!
Presenter Haha, I’m sure that won’t happen, but will do. All week, our listeners have been calling in with their questions, and we’ve got quite a few to get through, so let’s get going. Our first caller is Aisha in Bangalore.
Aisha
I’m still confused by the photo of ‘that dress’, which was all over the internet and the news in 2015. You know – the one that looks blue and black to some people, and white and gold to others. It’s so strange how half of my friends saw the dress in one way and half of them in another way completely. How can that be?
Sarah
Haha! Starting with an easy one. Thanks very much …
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