CHAPTER SIX Tips for Memorizing Some of the Other Things Your Bumfuzzled Brain Has to Deal With

Question 1

What is a man’s real possession according to Alexander Smith?

Answer 1

His memory.

Question 2

What are the three strategies mentioned for learning?

Answer 2

SEEing, LINKing, GO!ing.

Question 3

What is considered the apex of memory skills?

Answer 3

Memorizing a deck of playing cards.

Question 4

What was one of the traditional methods for public speaking before modern technology?

Answer 4

Memory techniques.

Question 5

What are the five canons of rhetoric established by the ancient Greeks?

Answer 5

• Memoria (memory)
• Inventio (discovery of ideas)
• Dispositio (organization of ideas)
• Elocutio (style)
• Pronuntiatio (delivery)

Question 6

What is the First Letter Method used for?

Answer 6

Memorizing short lines of text quickly.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The First Letter Method involves writing down the _______ of each word.

Answer 7

first letters.

Question 8

How can you recite a sentence after using the First Letter Method?

Answer 8

By filling in the complete words from the first letters.

Question 9

What is a common memory mistake when delivering speeches?

Answer 9

Getting nervous or distracted and losing your place.

Question 10

What is one way to remember key talking points in a speech?

Answer 10

Using a journey to visualize the points.

Question 11

What example is used to illustrate memorizing key points about the honey badger?

Answer 11

The honey badger doesn’t care about a snake up in a tree, a houseful of bees, getting stung by those bees, or a snake saying, ‘Get away from me!’

Question 12

What should you visualize to aid memory when giving a talk?

Answer 12

Imaginary scenes related to your points.

Question 13

What is the goal of word-for-word memorization?

Answer 13

To recall each word, punctuation, and capitalization accurately.

Question 14

What types of words require specific visual representations for memorization?

Answer 14

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
• Pronouns
• Articles

Question 15

What is the first stanza of Shel Silverstein’s poem ‘One Inch Tall’ about?

Answer 15

Imagining life as if you were only one inch tall.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: To memorize a poem, you need a journey that provides _______ points.

Answer 16

anchor.

Question 17

What emotional aspects should you consider when memorizing a poem?

Answer 17

The freedom, pride, satisfaction, and fear conveyed in the lines.

Question 18

True or False: The First Letter Method guarantees long-term retention of memorized text.

Answer 18

False.

Question 19

What is a key step to enhance memory retention after using the First Letter Method?

Answer 19

Applying one of the learned LINK steps.

Question 20

What emotion is associated with riding your own worm to school?

Answer 20

Freedom and pride

Question 21

What does schadenfreude mean in the context of the poem?

Answer 21

Pleasure derived from another’s misfortune, as illustrated by the ant crying

Question 22

What should you focus on during the second reading of the poem?

Answer 22

The structure of the lines, meter, and rhyming scheme

Question 23

How can you visualize the line ‘IF YOU WERE ONLY ONE INCH TALL’?

Answer 23

Picture yourself on the beach as if you were only one inch tall

Question 24

What image is used to remember the word ‘if’ in the poem?

Answer 24

Château d’If from The Count of Monte Cristo

Question 25

What is the significance of the comma in 'IF YOU WERE ONLY ONE INCH TALL,'?

Answer 25

It is associated with the action of falling

Question 26

What imagery accompanies the line 'YOU’D RIDE A WORM TO SCHOOL'?

Answer 26

Riding a worm in front of the White House, which looks like a fancy school

Question 27

What visual aid is used to remember 'THE TEARDROP OF A CRYING ANT'?

Answer 27

A giant ant atop the Liberty Bell crying hysterically

Question 28

What does 'WOULD BE YOUR SWIMMING POOL' invoke in terms of imagery?

Answer 28

A wooden bee in a swimming pool on top of the Empire State Building

Question 29

Fill in the blank: 'A CRUMB OF CAKE WOULD BE A ______.'

Answer 29

FEAST

Question 30

What does 'AND LAST YOU SEVEN DAYS AT LEAST' represent visually?

Answer 30

Throwing a boomerang while singing 'Day-O' on a mountain in Denver

Question 31

What frightening image is associated with 'A FLEA WOULD BE A FRIGHTENING BEAST'?

Answer 31

Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers being stung by a wooden bee

Question 32

What technique is suggested for memorizing poetry?

Answer 32

Encoding words to images along a journey

Question 33

What is the importance of writing down what you remember after memorizing?

Answer 33

It adds another dimension of visualization that aids recall

Question 34

What is the goal of the SEE–LINK–GO! process?

Answer 34

To memorize every single word and punctuation mark of a text perfectly

Question 35

How can you memorize new vocabulary words?

Answer 35

By linking images of the words and their definitions

Question 36

What is an example of a visual link for the word 'Garderobe'?

Answer 36

Imagining a voluptuous woman in a robe sitting on a medieval toilet

Question 37

What does 'vainglorious' mean?

Answer 37

Having or showing too much pride in abilities or achievements

Question 38

What image is associated with 'vainglorious'?

Answer 38

A person with a glorious vein showing it off to a pride of lions

Question 39

What does 'fratricide' refer to?

Answer 39

The crime of murdering your own brother or sister

Question 40

How can you visualize 'fratricide'?

Answer 40

Imagining a poisoned cider party in a frat house

Question 41

What is a suggested method for remembering foreign words?

Answer 41

Creating far-fetched images for the foreign word and its meaning

Question 42

What does 'Chou' mean in French?

Answer 42

Cabbage

Question 43

What is the visual link for 'Chou'?

Answer 43

A shoe stomping on a cabbage

Question 44

What does 'Baleine' mean in French?

Answer 44

Whale

Question 45

What imagery can help remember 'Baleine'?

Answer 45

A balloon to represent the elegance of the word

Question 46

What does the word 'Baleine' mean?

Answer 46

Whale ## Footnote The pronunciation is 'bah-lenn'.

Question 47

How can the word 'Tournesol' be translated?

Answer 47

Sunflower ## Footnote It literally means 'turned toward the sun'.

Question 48

What does 'Pamplemousse' refer to?

Answer 48

Grapefruit ## Footnote Pronounced 'pump-le-moose'.

Question 49

What does 'Vachement' mean?

Answer 49

Very; truly ## Footnote It translates literally as 'cowly' or 'like a cow'.

Question 50

What is the significance of learning the first two thousand most common words in French?

Answer 50

It allows you to read and understand about 80 percent of books.

Question 51

What strategy can help remember the gender of nouns in languages?

Answer 51

Place images in specific locations for masculine and feminine words.

Question 52

How can you remember countries and their capitals?

Answer 52

By associating them with memorable images.

Question 53

What is the capital of Afghanistan?

Answer 53

Kabul ## Footnote Use the image of an Afghan dog exploding into a bull.

Question 54

What is the capital of Montenegro?

Answer 54

Podgorica ## Footnote Imagine a mountain growing out of a string bean pod.

Question 55

What historic event took place in 1066?

Answer 55

Battle of Hastings

Question 56

How can the year 1860 be remembered?

Answer 56

By picturing tough-shoes being thrown at President Lincoln.

Question 57

What is the Doomsday Calculation used for?

Answer 57

To determine the day of the week for any date.

Question 58

What is the number code for January?

Answer 58

5 ## Footnote It represents 5 inches of snow.

Question 59

What is the code for February?

Answer 59

1 ## Footnote It has the fewest days.

Question 60

What number represents Sunday in the Doomsday Calculation?

Answer 60

0 or 7

Question 61

What is the formula for calculating the day of the week?

Answer 61

Year code + Month code + Day number, then divide by 7.

Question 62

What should you subtract for leap years in January or February?

Answer 62

1

Question 63

What is a fun way to practice memory skills?

Answer 63

Memorizing a deck of cards.

Question 64

Why is memorizing a deck of cards beneficial?

Answer 64

It improves mnemonic abilities and confidence.

Question 65

What is the significance of using mnemonic devices?

Answer 65

They help in memorizing complex information more easily.

Question 66

What is the main benefit of practicing mnemonic abilities?

Answer 66

Improved memory confidence and distraction management ## Footnote Practicing mnemonic techniques can help individuals become more adept at ignoring distractions in life.

Question 67

What is the first step in memorizing a deck of cards?

Answer 67

Start with just five cards without any technique ## Footnote This helps gauge initial memory capabilities.

Question 68

True or False: Memorizing a deck of cards is easy for everyone.

Answer 68

False ## Footnote Many find it challenging due to the abstract nature of card markings.

Question 69

What method is suggested for memorizing cards?

Answer 69

Use the PAO (Person-Action-Object) system ## Footnote This system helps chunk information into memorable images.

Question 70

What should you do after visualizing the face cards?

Answer 70

Choose a small journey with anchor points to practice ## Footnote This involves visualizing actions in specific locations.

Question 71

Fill in the blank: The first letters of the four card suits correspond to letters in the ______ system.

Answer 71

PAO ## Footnote This allows for easier association of people with card suits.

Question 72

What is an example of an association for the king of clubs?

Answer 72

Tiger Woods ## Footnote He is associated with swinging a golf club.

Question 73

What is the recommended number of anchor points for memorizing a set of cards?

Answer 73

Four anchor points ## Footnote Each anchor point can store three cards as one image.

Question 74

What should you do if a particular card is hard to remember?

Answer 74

Swap in new people using suit categories ## Footnote This can make the associations more memorable.

Question 75

What is the key to trusting your memory during memorization?

Answer 75

Resist the urge to look back at previous cards ## Footnote Trusting memory leads to greater gains in memorization.

Question 76

What technique can help improve your memorization speed?

Answer 76

Log your memorization and recall times ## Footnote Tracking progress can motivate improvement.

Question 77

What does the term 'rhapsode' refer to?

Answer 77

A person who can recite epic poems from memory ## Footnote This connects to the tradition of oral storytelling.

Question 78

What is the significance of the word 'topos' in relation to memory?

Answer 78

It means 'place' and relates to the concept of mental journeys in memorization ## Footnote Ancient orators used this concept to structure their speeches.

Question 79

What is a suggested way to visualize actions for memorization?

Answer 79

Imagine people performing actions with objects in specific locations ## Footnote This enhances the memorization of sequences.

Question 80

How can you make the memorization of cards more intuitive?

Answer 80

Create immediate associations for each card ## Footnote This helps to quickly recall the card's identity.

Question 81

What is a common struggle for beginners in memorization?

Answer 81

The temptation to look back at cards already memorized ## Footnote Overcoming this urge is crucial for building memory confidence.

Question 82

Fill in the blank: To memorize a deck of cards, you should visualize the first card's person performing the second card's action with the third card's ______.

Answer 82

Object ## Footnote This creates a complete image to aid memory.

Question 83

What should you do after memorizing a set of cards?

Answer 83

Take a second pass to recall the cards one at a time ## Footnote This helps reinforce memory and checks accuracy.