Previous investigations into the workings of memory usually tested epi

Question

Aristotle RC 99 - Passage 24     
   Previous investigations into the workings of memory usually tested episodic memory, which describes the recall of specific events, as well as the ability to remember names and the whereabouts of items like car keys. This ability usually remains intact until the mid-sixties, when people often become forgetful of things like recent events and minor details. While some researchers suggest that this well-known decline in episodic memory in the elderly stems from degeneration of the frontal lobes of the brain, many scientists believe that such memory loss is largely due to retirement: after the demands of work stop, most people no longer exercise their mental faculties as strenuously. Thus, regular mental ―exercise‖ might curtail memory loss. 
 
But episodic memory comprises only part of this intricate brain function. Memory researchers have identified two other types of memory, neither of which seems to deteriorate with age. New studies suggest that we have more than one kind of memory, and imply that elderly people who suffer from forgetfulness can utilize other types of memory to compensate for the decline. 
 
This new conception of memory stems from a shift in methodology of memory research. While older studies of memory and aging involved comparisons between different age groups, recent investigations tested the same group of people over a number of years. Such longitudinal data more clearly establishes the relationship between memory and aging. Through these studies of older adults, researchers concluded that there exist three major kinds of memory, only one of which declines in old age. 
 
Semantic memory, which describes our ability to recall knowledge and facts as well as events in the distant past, does not seem to lessen over the course of a lifetime. In fact, such memory may be even sharper in elderly people than in the young or middle-aged. When a group of men and women in their sixties were tested on a specific vocabulary list and retested on the same list a decade later, the group had improved their scores by an average of six words—an increase researchers consider substantial. Such studies suggest that by taking notes or mulling over events, elderly people who suffer from forgetfulness can store more information in the semantic memory, thus compensating for episodic memory loss. 
 
Implicit memory deals with the tremendous variety of mental activities we perform without making any intentional effort. Examples of these include actions like driving a car, touch-typing, or riding a bicycle. In a particular study, an amnesiac patient who had been an avid golfer before developing a memory problem remembered which club to use for each stroke; however, he forgot that he had played a hole within minutes of having done so. 
 
In addition, further studies of amnesiacs have shown that people with these disorders can learn new facts but cannot remember when and where they had learned them. Studies of people in their sixties and seventies showed similar results: like amnesiacs, older people are able to learn from new experience as well as younger people, but often have difficulty remembering the source of their knowledge or skill. While the findings are encouraging, it must be noted that such studies do not deal with memory problems associated with illness, disease, or injury to the brain.   1  
 1. Based on the information in the passage, the author implies that advanced age might adversely affect which of the following? 
  
I. Memory of details of a recent conversation 
II. Recollection of childhood memories 
III. Ability to perform routine tasks 
 
A. I only 
B. II only 
C. III only 
D. I and II only 
E. I, II and III

2  
 2.With regard to new research into memory and the various points brought up in the passage, the author‘s attitude might be described as one of: 
  
A. unbridled enthusiasm. 
B. wary skepticism. 
C. reserved optimism. 
D. unbiased objectivity 
E. unreserved joy

3 
 3. The primary purpose of the passage is to: 
  
A. discuss the ways in which a new theory of memory challenges common assumptions regarding memory and aging. 
B. explain why past investigations into memory tested only episodic memory. 
C. describe recent research into the functioning of the brain. 
D. consider the reasons why episodic memory diminished in later years. 
E. describe two new types of memory 
 
 4  
 4. Based on the information in the passage, the author would probably agree with which of the following statements regarding memory problems associated with illness, disease, or injury? 
  
A. Since many elderly suffer from such organic dysfunctions, memory research remains more theoretical than practical. 
B. Scientists do not anticipate that these studies will contribute to our understanding of these disorders as well. 
C. It is likely that researchers will turn toward these more critical problems in the near future. 
D. Since such disorders do not conform to the tripartate model of memory, most researchers are not interested in them 
E. These problems can be resolved by conducting more in-depth research into the different memory types

Masterscorp · Answer

Very interesting text.

Took me around eight minutes to answer 3/4 question correct. I found the last question to be the hardest, because it was more of an implication as the focus of the text was a different one.

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Topic and Scope  - Specific types of memory loss in old age
 Mapping the Passage 
¶1 describes episodic memory, which declines in old age, as well as some possible explanations for the decline.
¶2 gives a traditional view that memory loss and old age are directly correlated, and a new view which suggests that more than one kind of memory exists and that not all of them necessarily deteriorate in old age.
¶3 describes new methodology in studies which has led to the new view.
¶4 describes semantic memory, which the author argues may improve with age.
¶s5 and 6 describe implicit memory, which isn‘t affected by age.

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Answers and Explanations OE 
 1) What type of memory will advanced age affect? Predict: Only episodic memory will be affected. Review what episodic memory is: the ―recall of specific events,‖ as well as names and locations. Only RN I is an example of this type of memory, while RN II is an example of semantic memory and RN III is an example of implicit memory. A is therefore correct.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Opposite. As described above.
(C): Opposite. As above.
(D): Opposite. As above.
(E): Opposite. As above.

2)  What is the author‘s tone in the passage? First ask yourself why the author thinks the research is relevant. The last paragraph states: ―While the findings are encouraging, it must be noted that such studies do not deal with memory problems associated with illness, disease, or injury to the brain.‖ Note the keyword ―while‖: the author is optimistic, but not wildly so. (C) rewards the careful attention to structure with a very close paraphrase of this prediction.
(A): Distortion. The author‘s optimism is tempered by the keyword ―while‖ and the idea that the new research only has limited applicability.
(B): Opposite. The author doesn‘t seem skeptical of the new research at all, but rather optimistic that it‘s better than the old approach.
(C): The correct answer
(D): Distortion. While the author is arguably objective, there‘s a clear bias in favour of the research (hence the optimism).
(E): ‗Unreserved‘ is extreme language.
3) A main idea question, tucked unusually in the middle of the question set. Predict, using topic, scope, and purpose to guide your prediction: the author wants to describe new research in the field of memory and aging. (A) paraphrases this closely.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Faulty Use of Detail. This is the purpose of ¶3, but not of the whole passage.
(C): Distortion. While the passage does this, its focus is far more specific. This choice is far too broad.
(D): Faulty Use of Detail. The author suggests some explanations for this in ¶1, but it‘s only one small part of the passage.
(E): the passage does much more than just describe the two memory types

Strategy Point: When predicting the answer to a main idea question, construct your paraphrase as Topic, Scope, and Purpose. Many correct Main Idea answers will follow this order.

4)  What does the author say about illness, disease, and injury? Review the last paragraph: the author argues that the new research has nothing to say about memory loss caused by these factors. (B) fits with this; the author is summarizing scientific research, and so in this paragraph is likely summarizing the researcher‘s views that the new research has nothing to say about unnatural memory loss.
(A): Opposite. The author seems hopeful that the results are practical, since only practical results would be encouraging.
(B): The correct answer
(C): Distortion. Though the author suggests that new research would be needed to shed light on these studies, there‘s no suggestion that there will be new research in these areas.
(D): Out of Scope. The author doesn‘t discuss scientific interest in these disorders at all.
(E): In depth research is out of scope

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

1. Based on the information in the passage, the author implies that advanced age might adversely affect which of the following? 
 
According to the passage, it is episodic memory that declines as age increases. Episodic memory is associated with remembering specific details of events. Hence, only "I" fits this description.

I. Memory of details of a recent conversation

Therefore,   (A) is the answer to this question.

2.With regard to new research into memory and the various points brought up in the passage, the author‘s attitude might be described as one of: 
 
To answer this question, we need to find the author's tone within these paragraphs. If you take a closer look at the last paragraph, we have " While the findings are encouraging, it must be noted that such studies do not...."

Hence, we can reasonably infer that the author is 'optimistic' but does indeed suggest some areas where further research/clarification is required. (C) fits this idea perfectly.

C. reserved optimism.

Hence,   (C) is the right answer choice to this question.  
 
  3. The primary purpose of the passage is to: 
 
The answer to this question lies in the first paragraph. Towards the middle of the first paragraph, we have ''While some researchers suggest that this well-known decline in episodic memory in the elderly stems from degeneration of the frontal lobes of the brain, many scientists believe that such memory loss is largely due to retirement"

The rest of the passage explores the research findings that resulted from the assertion of the ''retirement'' hypothesis. This is what we have in (A).

A. discuss the ways in which a new theory of memory challenges common assumptions regarding memory and aging.

Hence,   (A) is the right answer choice.

4. Based on the information in the passage, the author would probably agree with which of the following statements regarding memory problems associated with illness, disease, or injury?

In the last line of this passage, we have "While the findings are encouraging, it must be noted that such studies do not deal with memory problems associated with illness, disease, or injury to the brain". In other words, the effects of illness, disease, or injury to the brain on memory have been ignored or not dealt with by researchers.

This is what we have in (B)

B. Scientists do not anticipate that these studies will contribute to our understanding of these disorders as well.

Hence,   (B) is the right answer choice.  
 
 .

akshayshukla1991 · Answer

What would be the difficulty level for this passage...got all correct under 8 mins.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The difficulty level should be the following, in my opinion.

Question #1: 600
Question #2: 650
Question #3: 600
Question #4: 650

Overall: 600-650-Level.

memayank · Answer

I don't think Answer to question no 3 is A. As the first para tell about memory loss due to deterioration of episodic memory due to retirement and 'exercise' as possible solution, the second para tell about 2 different types of memory which do not deteriorate with age. So I don't think there is any misconception regarding Episodic memory and that stands correct as per statements mentioned in subsequent paras and also there is nowhere written that it's misconception and new study suggests this as correct finding. Hence, as per me, Answer is wrong. E seems better answer though not perfect.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The primary purpose of the passage is to:

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

A main idea question, tucked unusually in the middle of the question set. Predict, using topic, scope, and purpose to guide your prediction: the author wants to describe new research in the field of memory and aging. (A) paraphrases this closely.

(A):  The correct answer

(B):  Faulty Use of Detail. This is the purpose of  Para 3 , but not of the whole passage.

(C):  Distortion. While the passage does this, its focus is far more specific. This choice is far too broad.

(D):  Faulty Use of Detail. The author suggests some explanations for this in  Para 1 , but it‘s only one small part of the passage.

(E):  the passage does much more than just describe the two memory types

Answer: A

Strategy Point:  When predicting the answer to a main idea question, construct your paraphrase as Topic, Scope, and Purpose. Many correct Main Idea answers will follow this order.

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

Previous investigations into the workings of memory usually tested epi

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Previous investigations into the workings of memory usually tested epi

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards