Why We

Remember
and Forget
Memory Idioms
 Why We Remember and Forget Memory plays a critical role in shaping our identity and daily functioning. Research shows that
1. Discuss the question with a partner: How does the balance between
remembering and forgetting affect our daily lives, and why is it important for both remembering and forgetting are essential to our cognitive health. For example, a study by
our brain to filter information? Then, read the text and check whether Columbia University found that taking a trip down memory lane helps boost emotional
any of your ideas were mentioned there. wellbeing, especially when recalling positive experiences.
2. Replace the phrases in bold in 1-9 with the correct form of the phrases However, not all memories are easy to retain. Many people describe having a memory like a
in bold from the article on the right. sieve, often forgetting mundane things like keys or appointments. Studies suggest that high
stress levels and information overload can cause memories to slip your mind.
1. I’ve been trying hard to remember, but I just can’t recall where I left my In some cases, specific cues can jog our memory. For instance, familiar scents or sounds can
passport. trigger deep memories. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, certain smells were
2. Looking at these old photos makes me think of my childhood. It’s like shown to bring to mind early childhood experiences.
remembering old times. On the other hand, our brains also filter information, ensuring that not everything sticks. Some
3. Sometimes, I can’t remember what I did yesterday — I feel like I forget things we hear or learn go in one ear and out the other if they aren’t deemed important.
everything quickly. Psychologists argue that forgetting helps prevent information overload, allowing us to focus on
4. When someone forgets my birthday, I just assume the date wasn't what truly matters.
remembered at the moment. For more complex memories, such as recalling names or faces, we often need to rack our brains.
5. Seeing that painting really makes me think of the holiday we spent in According to a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this effort of retrieval
France last year. strengthens the neural pathways that store memories. In contrast, vivid memories — such as life-
6. I told him about the meeting, but it seems like my words didn't changing events — become etched in your memory without much effort. These memories are
stay in his mind at all. often linked to strong emotions, making them hard to forget.
7. That concert was amazing — it's something I’ll never forget. Lastly, memory can be selective, with advice or thoughts remaining at the back of one's mind,
8. I keep her advice in my mind even when I don’t think about it subtly influencing our decisions. Neuroscientists suggest that this is the brain’s way of keeping
directly. useful information accessible when needed, even if we aren't consciously aware of it.
9. I showed her a picture of the group to help her remember their Whether we're struggling to remember or find memories imprinted in our minds, both processes
names. serve vital purposes in helping us navigate the world.
 let’s practise!
1. Look at the AI-generated illustrations below and guess which phrase from the text 2. Read the short dialogues below and complete them with the phrases from the
each one illustrates. previous tasks. Make changes if necessary.

- I’ve been trying to __________________ for that name, but it’s just not coming to me.
- Maybe it’ll come to you later when you’re not thinking about it so hard.
- I can’t believe I forgot about our meeting; it completely __________________ .
- Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us sometimes.
- That moment we spent at the beach __________________________; I can’t forget it.
- It truly was an unforgettable day, wasn’t it?
- Sometimes, what I learn in class just ___________________________________.
- That’s why I try to take notes; it helps me retain the information better.
- I have_________________________; I can never remember where I put my keys.
- You should try using a designated spot; it might help you keep track of them.
- Can you help _________________________ about what we discussed last week?
- Sure! We talked about the upcoming project deadlines and the budget.
- I always keep that promise _________________________, even if it’s been a while.
- It’s good to prioritize those commitments; they’re important!
- Looking through these old photos is such _________________________.
- I completely agree; it brings back so many wonderful moments.
- What does that phrase _________________________ for you?
- It reminds me of our old high school days and all the fun we had.
 more vocabulary
1. Match the beginnings on the left with the correct endings on the My friend asked me to water her plants while she was on holiday. I put a reminder on my phone,
right to form complete idioms. Can you explain their meaning? but I left the plants in her back room, and I never saw them. Of course, I completely forgot about
1. lose your ____ a) bell them. It was definitely a case of out of sight, out of mind. She came back a week later to find the
plants nearly dead! I felt terrible, and now I set reminders for everything. Emma
2. out of sight, out ____ b) tongue
I was walking through the supermarket when I saw someone I thought I recognised. Her face
3. ring a ____ c) train of thought rang a bell, but I couldn’t place where I knew her from. I debated whether to say hello or just keep
walking, so I decided to approach her. As we started talking, it hit me — she used to work at the
4. have a brain ____ d) of mind café near my school. It was funny how something clicked once we started chatting. Ethan
5. draw a ____ e) blank During my last exam, I sat there staring at the paper, trying to remember the answer to a
question. I knew I had studied it the night before, but I had a complete brain fade. It was like
6. on the tip of your ____ f) fade
everything I had memorised disappeared, and my mind went blank. I ended up skipping the
2. Now, read the 6 stories below and check whether you were right. question and returning to it later, but it was so frustrating. Noah
Have you ever had such situations? I was having a conversation with my cousin about our favourite childhood movies when I tried to
I was giving a presentation in class last week, and mention an actor’s name. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I just couldn’t remember it. I kept
everything was going well. Suddenly, I completely saying, ‘You know, the one who played in that superhero movie!’ We both started laughing
lost my train of thought in the middle of explaining because we knew exactly who I was talking about but couldn’t recall his name. Finally, after ten
an important point. I couldn’t remember what I was minutes of guessing, we looked it up. Jackson
saying or where I was going with my explanation. I Last weekend, I met someone at a party, and he introduced himself. When I ran into him again a
stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, trying to few days later, I drew a blank on his name. I knew we had spoken, but for the life of me, I couldn’t
collect myself. Thankfully, someone asked a remember his name. I awkwardly had to ask him to remind me. He was cool about it, but it was
question, and I was able to pick up from there, but so embarrassing that I couldn’t remember something so basic! Olivia
it was embarrassing! Ava
 let’s practise!
1. Underline the correct idiom in each sentence. 2. Complete the sentences with the idioms, using the given hints.
1. I was trying to remember my childhood phone number, but I
completely (drew a blank / had a brain fade).
1. I was asked for the password I’ve used for years, but when I tried to recall it, I
2. That old song (rings a bell / is out of sight, out of mind); I
completely ________________________________ (blank).
think I’ve heard it before, but I can’t place where.
2. I tried to recall what the professor said, but it must have gone
3. I knew I had something important to do today, but it must
________________________________ (ear).
have (been on the tip of my tongue / slipped my mind).
3. That name ________________________________ (bell), but I can’t quite remember
4. During the meeting, I suddenly (lost my train of thought /
where I’ve heard it before.
had a memory like a sieve), and forgot what I was going to
4. I studied hard for the exam, but when I saw the first question, I
say next.
________________________________ (draw).
5. I see her name all the time at work, but once I leave the office,
5. I was telling a story, but halfway through, I ________________________________
it’s like she’s (racking my brain / out of sight, out of mind).
(thought) and couldn’t continue.
6. I was trying to remember the actor’s name, and it was (etched
6. We haven’t spoken for months. I guess it’s a case of
in my memory / on the tip of my tongue) for hours before I
________________________________ (mind).
finally recalled it.
7. The answer is right
7. His directions went (in one ear and out the other / racked my
________________________________ (tongue),
brain) because I wasn’t paying attention properly.
but I just can’t remember it!
8. I’ve always had (a memory like a sieve / a brain fade),
8. I had all the details ready, but when the
especially when it comes to remembering dates and
moment came, I suddenly
appointments.
___________________________ (fade).