RING A

BELL
collocations about memory;
idioms: memory

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CHECK YOUR MEMORY
Understand your capacity to store, retain, and recollect
information

Link
 MYTH OR FACT
1. Memory works like a video camera, recording everything we see and hear.
A) Myth B) Fact
2. We only use 10% of our brains.
A) Myth B) Fact
3. People can suppress traumatic memories and recall them later in life through
therapy.
A) Myth B) Fact
4. The more confident a person is in their memory, the more accurate it is.
A) Myth B) Fact
5. It is possible to implant false memories in someone’s mind through suggestion.
A) Myth B) Fact
6. Older adults experience significant memory decline due to normal aging.
A) Myth B) Fact
7. Using mnemonic devices can help improve memory recall.
A) Myth B) Fact
8. People with photographic memories can remember every detail of what they
see.
A) Myth B) Fact
 MYTH OR FACT
1. Memory works like a video camera, recording everything we see and hear.
A) Myth B) Fact
2. We only use 10% of our brains.
A) Myth B) Fact
3. People can suppress traumatic memories and recall them later in life through
therapy.
A) Myth B) Fact
4. The more confident a person is in their memory, the more accurate it is.
A) Myth B) Fact
5. It is possible to implant false memories in someone’s mind through suggestion.
A) Myth B) Fact
6. Older adults experience significant memory decline due to normal aging.
A) Myth B) Fact
7. Using mnemonic devices can help improve memory recall.
A) Myth B) Fact
8. People with photographic memories can remember every detail of what they see.
A) Myth B) Fact
Can you remember …
what you were doing on Sunday two weeks ago?
the birthdays of all your family members?
the last film you saw at the cinema?
how you celebrated your birthday two years ago?
what your first teacher looked like?
Can you remember …
what you were doing on Sunday two weeks ago?
the birthdays of all your family members?
the last film you saw at the cinema?
how you celebrated your birthday two years ago?
what your first teacher looked like?

Do you generally have a good memory or are you forgetful?

Do you know any special techniques to improve your memory?

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Can you remember …
a) He never remembers anything I tell him. Things go in one ear and out the other!
b) Oh no! I forgot to buy vegetables for the curry. Sorry, it totally slipped my mind.
c) Hmm ... I’m not sure. I’ll need to look at my notes again to refresh my memory.
d) I’ll remember it in a minute. The answer is on the tip of my tongue!
e) I’m sure I’ve heard that name before. It definitely rings a bell.
f) Oh, yes. You were there too, weren’t you? My memory is playing tricks on me.

1. heard but quickly forgotten.

2. you want to say it but cannot remember it.
3. you think you have heard it before.
4. you feel confused and not sure about what is happening
5. just forget something.
6. recall certain facts or information.
Can you remember …
a) He never remembers anything I tell him. Things go in one ear and out the other!
b) Oh no! I forgot to buy vegetables for the curry. Sorry, it totally slipped my mind.
c) Hmm ... I’m not sure. I’ll need to look at my notes again to refresh my memory.
d) I’ll remember it in a minute. The answer is on the tip of my tongue!
e) I’m sure I’ve heard that name before. It definitely rings a bell.
f) Oh, yes. You were there too, weren’t you? My memory is playing tricks on me.

heard but quickly forgotten.

just forget something.
recall certain facts or information.
you want to say it but cannot remember it.
you think you have heard it before.
you feel confused and not sure about what is happening

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Think of an idiom to use in each situation. More than one may be possible.

1 You went shopping and forgot to buy milk.

2 You’re doing a quiz. You know the answer but can’t quite remember it.
3 You’re discussing a friend’s son. The boy is a bad listener and forgets everything.
4 You recognise someone at a party but can’t remember their name. You ask your friend.
5 A friend is telling you about a new book. You think you’ve heard about it before.
6 You and a friend are trying to find a restaurant. You went there years ago. You thought you knew the
address, but you were wrong.

a) go in one ear and out the other!

b) it totally slipped my mind.
c) to refresh my memory.
d) on the tip of my tongue!
e) ring a bell.
f) My memory is playing tricks on me.
Think of an idiom to use in each situation. More than one may be possible.

1 Sorry, it totally slipped my mind.

2 The answer is on the tip of my tongue.
3 Things go in one ear and out the other.
4 Refresh my memory (and tell me their name).
5 It definitely rings a bell.
6 My memory is playing tricks on me
Match the idioms (1-6) with the sentences which have Complete the sentences with the correct form of the
a similar meaning (a-f). idioms in the box.

in one ear and out the other, memory is playing tricks on me, on
1 Things go in one ear and out the other. the tip of my tongue, refresh my memory, rings a bell, slip my mind
2 It slipped my mind.
3 Can you refresh my memory?
4 It's on the tip of my tongue. 1 Now, what was it? No, don't tell me - it's ______.
5 That rings a bell. 2 That name definitely _____. Did she used to work
6 My memory's playing tricks on me. here?
3 I thought I'd sent that already. I guess my ____.
4 Now, _____ - what time are we starting tomorrow
a It sounds familiar. again?
b I forgot. 5 You never listen! Honestly, it all goes _____.
c I quickly forget. 6 I forgot the milk! Sorry, it totally _____.
d I've remembered that incorrectly.
e I can't quite remember it!
f Please remind me.
Listen about HSAM and answer the questions.

1. How does Rebecca describe her memory in

comparison to others?
2. What is the earliest memory that Rebecca can
recall?
3. How many people worldwide have been
identified with having highly superior
autobiographical memory (HSAM)?
4. When was Rebecca officially identified as
having HSAM?
5. Why can living with HSAM be difficult at times?
6. What kind of memories can Rebecca recall on
most days?
7. How does Rebecca feel about having HSAM
overall?
Answers

1 Rebecca describes her memory as being able to remember

everything in great detail, even from years ago.
2 The earliest memory that Rebecca can recall is from when
she was 12 days old, lying down on the fur car seat in her
parents' car.
3 Only 60 people worldwide have been identified with having
highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM).
4 Rebecca was officially identified as having HSAM when she
was 21 after undergoing two years of testing at the University
of California.
5 Negative memories can come to mind unexpectedly and
make living with HSAM difficult.
6 On most days, Rebecca can recall happy memories and
moments that make her thankful for having HSAM.
7 Overall, Rebecca feels grateful for having HSAM but
acknowledges that it can be challenging at times.

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Complete the sentences with the correct form of the collocations in bold.

1 Your ____ are things you can remember from when

you were very young.
2 If you have a good ______, you can remember bring back memories
things for an extended period of time.
3 If you have_____, you can remember things exactly perfect recall long-term memory
as they are, without making mistakes.
4 If something _____, it makes you think of something have a good memory childhood memories
from the past.
5 If you are generally able to remember things well,
short-term memory learn things by heart
you______ .
6 When you _____, you learn them in such a way that
you can repeat them from memory. remember every detail
7 If you _____ of something, you remember every
small part and moment of it.
8 You have a good _____ if you can remember things
from a few moments ago.
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentences

1 I remember every detail/ learn things by heart/

brought back memories of that day - the sunlight on my
bring back memories
pillow, the smell of my mother's cooking downstairs ...
2 My short-term / long-term / perfect recall memory is
terrible. I can't even remember what I had for breakfast! perfect recall long-term memory
3 You need to learn your lines by recall/ memory/ heart
when you're acting on stage. have a good memory childhood memories
4 Oh, that programme remembered every detail/
brought back memories/ had a good memory for me. I short-term memory learn things by heart
used to work in the building that was featured in it.
5 What are your earliest long-term / short-term /
remember every detail
childhood memories?
6 I haven't brought/ got/ learned a good memory - I
never remember anything!
Read about seven different ways to remember things. Which do you do already? Which would you like to try?

When I have to remember to do Before a presentation, I try to practise in front of a

things, I write notes to myself. mirror to make sure I don’t forget what I’m going
to say.
I like using visualisation connecting facts
to images. It works well for me. I To keep a list in my head, I invent
remember visualising facts for a test songs, which I sing to myself
last month and I passed.

My technique is to write a story that uses I heard sleep is good for your memory, so I
everything I need to remember. tried taking naps after class.

I remember facts by imagining I’m in a building. Àverything on the

list is in a different room and I walk through the rooms.
Match the phrases in bold with the rules.

When I have to remember to do things, I write notes to myself.

1. We can use an infinitive Before a presentation, I try to practise in front of a mirror to make sure I
after the verb be. don’t forget what I’m going to say.
2. We can use an infinitive to
express a purpose. I like using visualisation connecting facts to images. It works well for
3. We use the -ing form after me. I remember visualising facts for a test last month and I passed.
prepositions. To keep a list in my head, I invent songs, which I sing to myself
4. We can use some verbs
followed by an infi nitive or My technique is to write a story that uses everything I need to remember.
an -ing form, with a change
in meaning (four phrases) I heard sleep is good for your memory, so I tried taking naps after class.

I remember facts by imagining I’m in a building. Àverything on the list is in

a different room and I walk through the rooms.
Gerund -ing /Infinitive
1. If you try to do something, you make an I tried to fix the roof.
attempt to do it.
2. If you try doing something, you test it to see if Try drinking green tea if you have a stomachache.
it is suitable, useful or works.
3. If you remember to do something, you Remember to feed the dog! (Don’t forget!)
remember it and then do it.
4. If you remember doing something, you have a I remember going to school for the first time when I was five.
memory of doing it in the past.
5. If you forget to do something, you don’t do it
because you don’t remember. I forgot to feed the dog!
6. If you forget doing something, you have no
memory of it.
7. If you stop to do something, you pause what I stopped to call my mother.
you are doing in order to do something else.
8. If you stop doing something, you f nish, and I stopped watching TV two years ago.
no longer do it.
Complete the second sentence using the correct form of the verb in brackets and an -ing form or a to
infinitive.

1 Oh no I didn’t switch on the alarm before we left.

Oh no I ______the alarm on before we left. (forget)
2 I experimented with drinking more water, but I still
get headaches.
I _____ more water, but I still get headaches. (try)
3 It’s important that we take our medicine tomorrow.
We must ______our medicine tomorrow.
(remember)
4 I took a break from my work because I wanted to
talk to Jack. I _____because I wanted to talk to
Jack. (stop)
5 The memory of singing on TV will always be with
her!
She’ll never ______on TV! (forget)
6 Because of his injury, he doesn’t cycle anymore.
Because of his injury, he_____. (stop)

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Can you remember …
Infinitive

After the verb to be Express purpose After adjectives

1. My idea is to build an app. 1. To make the perfect cup of 1. She was afraid to ask for help.
2. The purpose of the call was tea, leave the bag in the water 2. He was angry to hear about
to choose a design. for three minutes. getting fired.
2. You should practise every day 3. It is going to be hard to finish
to get better. on time.
Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

1 I think the plan is to meet/ meeting Max outside

the venue.
2 Annoyingly, he forgot to set/ setting a timer
and burnt the dinner.
3 I remember to get up/ getting up early and
watching TV.
4 No, he stopped to go / going to Spanish classes
last month.
5 Mum rang - she wants to have/ having dinner
with you tonight.
6 Remember to lock/ locking the door when you
leave.
Emotions Quiz: Gerund/infinitive
Complete the anecdote with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

As a child, my primary goal was 1 .............. (climb) the really big

mountain I could see from my bedroom window. I did some
exercise every day - which involved running up and down the
stairs - 2 .............. (improve) my stamina, so I could make the
climb. Then, one morning, I remember 3 ........... . (set off) with
some sandwiches in my schoolbag, announcing to my dad I'd
be back in time for dinner after my day's climbing. I walked
and walked, and eventually turned back so as 4 ............ (make
sure) I was home before dark. I was tired and looking forward
to ................. (have)a big bowl of soup. In reality, I'd only been
gone an hour, with my dad trailing me from a distance. The
whole family still laugh about my adventure - but I'm going to
try 6 ................ (reach) the top of that mountain one day!
Listen to five speakers talking about memory. Match the speakers (1–5) with the statements (A–E).

Mary Brian
A I was surprised by someone’s memory abilities.
B I’ve learnt how to remember some things better.
C I find it difficult to remember to do things.
D I’m helping someone to remember something.
Diane Jordan E I’m not keen on remembering people from my
past

Anna
Listen again. For each speaker, choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1 What does Mary say about her classmates from school?

A She can’t remember any of them.
B She’s looking forward to meeting them again. 4 What does Jordan say about a new way of
C She’s only in contact with a few of them. remembering things?
2 What problem did Brian experience recently? A It’s a technique he learnt in his theatre group.
A He forgot something important from his childhood. B It works more quickly than other techniques.
B He didn’t remember an event he had planned. C It helps him remember his lines more easily.
C He was unable to recognise an old friend. 5 What does Anna say about her exchange student?
3 What do we find out about Gemma’s memory? A She has difficulties with certain words in English.
A She’s forgetful about some things. B She’s finding it easier to remember new words.
B She can only remember special events. C She’s frustrated about spending her time abroad.
C She can’t recall the details of events.

Mary Brian Diane Jordan Anna

Listen again. For each speaker, choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1 What does Mary say about her classmates from school? 1C2B3A4C5B
A She can’t remember any of them.
B She’s looking forward to meeting them again. 4 What does Jordan say about a new way of
C She’s only in contact with a few of them. remembering things?
2 What problem did Brian experience recently? A It’s a technique he learnt in his theatre group.
A He forgot something important from his childhood. B It works more quickly than other techniques.
B He didn’t remember an event he had planned. C It helps him remember his lines more easily.
C He was unable to recognise an old friend. 5 What does Anna say about her exchange student?
3 What do we find out about Gemma’s memory? A She has difficulties with certain words in English.
A She’s forgetful about some things. B She’s finding it easier to remember new words.
B She can only remember special events. C She’s frustrated about spending her time abroad.
C She can’t recall the details of events.

Mary Brian Diane Jordan Anna

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