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Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 11 · Psychology

Human Memory

Standard difficulty · 20 questions · 40 marks · Time: 36 minutes

Name: Date: Score: ____ / 40

Show your working for Sections B and C. Answers are on the last page — try every question first!

Section A — Choose the correct answer8 × 1 = 8 marks
1.
The three stages of memory, in order, are:
  1. retrieval, storage and encoding
  2. recall, recognition and relearning
  3. storage, encoding and retrieval
  4. encoding, storage and retrieval
2.
In the Stage Model, sensory memory has:
  1. exactly one item, lasting an hour
  2. no capacity limit and no duration
  3. a large capacity, lasting less than a second
  4. an unlimited capacity, lasting up to a lifetime
3.
Remembering the day you won a race is an example of:
  1. echoic memory
  2. semantic memory
  3. procedural memory
  4. episodic memory
4.
A participant is asked: “What does the word mean?” At which level is the word processed?
  1. the semantic level
  2. the echoic level
  3. the sensory level
  4. the phonetic level
5.
Zoya links a new word to ideas already known, such as compassion and truth. Which memory aid is being used?
  1. chunking
  2. PQRST
  3. keyword method
  4. elaborative rehearsal
6.
After learning this year’s timetable, Priya cannot recall last year’s. What explains this forgetting?
  1. retroactive interference
  2. retrieval failure
  3. proactive interference
  4. trace decay
7.
Suppose a string of 9 digits is grouped into chunks of 3 digits each. How many chunks must short-term memory now hold?
  1. 3 chunks
  2. 9 chunks
  3. 6 chunks
  4. 4 chunks
8.
Which explanation of forgetting is trace decay?
  1. memory traces fade through disuse over time
  2. information is stored twice
  3. the sensory register is too large
  4. retrieval cues are absent or unsuitable
Section B — Short answer8 × 2 = 16 marks
9.
What is encoding?
10.
Is each memory procedural, semantic or episodic? (a) the capital of a country (b) the day you won a race
11.
At which level (structural, phonetic or semantic) is the word processed? (a) What does the word mean? (b) Does the word begin with the sound “b”?
12.
Name the memory aid in each case. (a) Ananya previews a chapter, asks questions, reads, recites and tests themselves. (b) Asha imagines each item of a shopping list at a spot along the road home.
13.
Type proactive or retroactive for each. (a) Meera learned Spanish first and now keeps writing Spanish words while recalling new French words. (b) After learning a new phone number, Asha cannot recall the old one.
14.
Suppose a 36-digit number is grouped into chunks of 4. How many chunks are there, and can short-term memory (7 ± 2, so at most about 9 items) hold them all?
15.
Explain each term: (a) interference (b) the central executive
16.
Suppose Kabir hears a new phone number and does not rehearse it. Would short-term memory still hold it after 60 seconds? What could help keep it longer?
Section C — Word problems4 × 4 = 16 marks
17.
Describe the Stage Model of memory.
18.
Match each with its meaning: (a) retrieval (b) storage (c) encoding. Choose from: bringing stored information back to awareness; holding information over a period of time; registering information so that it can be used.
19.
Ananya remembers the rainbow’s colours as VIBGYOR. (a) Which concept does this show? (b) Explain your answer.
20.
(a) After learning a new phone number, Isha cannot recall the old one. (b) After learning this year’s timetable, Ananya cannot recall last year’s. Name the kind of interference in each, explain the difference between the two kinds, and suggest one way to reduce interference while studying.
AmbifulWorksheets
Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 11 · Psychology

Answer key

Human Memory · AW-11PY-MEM-2026-V1 · For parents — fold back or tear off before handing the sheet to your child.

QAnswerWorking
1(d) encoding, storage and retrieval—
2(c) a large capacity, lasting less than a second—
3(d) episodic memory—
4(a) the semantic level—
5(d) elaborative rehearsal—
6(a) retroactive interference—
7(a) 3 chunks9 ÷ 3 = 3
8(a) memory traces fade through disuse over time—
9Recording and registering information for the first time so the memory system can use it.—
10(a) semantic (b) episodic—
11(a) semantic (b) phonetic—
12(a) PQRST (b) method of loci—
13(a) proactive interference (b) retroactive interference—
149 chunks; yes, that is within the span36 ÷ 4 = 9
15(a) stored associations compete at the time of recall (b) directs and coordinates the other parts—
16Probably not: short-term memory lasts less than 30 seconds without rehearsal; maintenance rehearsal (repeating it) or chunking helps—
17Sensory memory (large capacity, under a second) → attention → short-term memory (about 7 ± 2 items, under 30 seconds) → elaborative rehearsal → long-term memory (unlimited, up to a lifetime).—
18(a) bringing stored information back to awareness (b) holding information over a period of time (c) registering information so that it can be used—
19(a) first-letter technique (b) The first letters of the items form a word or sentence that cues recall—
20(a) retroactive interference (b) retroactive interference; proactive: old learning hinders new; retroactive: new learning hinders old; avoid learning very similar material back to back—