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Read the passage below. While reading, try to guess what the lecture will be about.
Echoic Memory
Echoic memory is an auditory form of sensory memory. It consists of a brief echo that continues to be heard in the mind after an actual sound has been heard. It has two important qualities. First, it is very short in duration. In fact, echoic memory is one of the briefest forms of memory, lasting for only about three or four seconds. Second, because it is an exact copy of the sound that was heard, echoic memory is very accurate for that limited period. It allows for direct and accurate reproduction of information.
Write down the main idea and key points in note form, using keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.
auditory – relating to sound and hearing
sensory – relating to trio senses
echo – a sound that Is repeated
duration – the period of time that something lasts
reproduction – a copy of something
Reading:
Now listen to a related lecture. Take notes on important information.
illustration – an example
recite – to say something out loud
last – to happen for a period of time
accuracy – the ability to do something correctly
latter – the second of two things mentioned
Listening:
View the transcriptW: Let me give you an illustration to show how one form of sensory memory, echoic memory, works. Let's take the example of hearing a telephone number for the first time. First, echoic memory explains why, if someone recites a phone number to you, you're likely to forget it after; a few seconds. When you hear a new phone number, you can remember it just long enough to dial it, which takes a second or two. That's because you are using echoic memory, which only lasts for a few seconds. If you wait too long before dialing that number, and you didn't write it down, then you will forget the number, The echo is gone from your memory. Second, echoic memory also explains why you are almost certain to dial a new phone number with perfect accuracy. Without thinking about it, you can dial the number you Just heard, again, as long as you do it right away. And you will dial it exactly as you heard it because you are hearing its echo in your mind. Try to dial a phone number you heard, say, a few minutes ago, and chances are you are going to dial it incorrectly. In the latter case, the echo in your mind is going to be gone, so you're trying to access the number in your short-term memory, which isn't as accurate.
Read and think about the prompt below.
The professor gives an example of recalling a new telephone number. Explain how it illustrates the features of echoic memory.
WITHOUT looking at the original reading passage, review your notes from the reading and listening passages. Select the information you think is important.
Reading:
Listening:
Try to fill in the blanks of the sample response below using your notes.
Notes for the Response
- Echoic memory is when information you just heard stays in your mind for a few seconds.
- Example: hearing a new telephone number.
- First feature: very short.
- Example: you will forget the number after a few seconds.
- Second feature: accurate.
- Example: you can dial it accurately if you do so immediately.
Deliver your response, including all the facts and using necessary transitions.
Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions that could improve your response.
Reading:
Listening:
The lecture uses the example of a telephone number to describe two main features of echoic memory. First, the professor says that you are only able to remember a phone number for a short period. That is because, when you hear it, you use your echoic memory to remember it, which does not last long. This supports the author's claim that echoic memory is very brief. Also, the professor says that you can remember the number very well for the first few seconds. This is, again, because of echoic memory. This also backs up the claim from the reading that echoic memory is very accurate.
Now give your response to the prompt again, incorporating useful expressions from the sample, while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.
