Lesson 1: Memory

WARM UP

Think about your memory and past experiences.

• What is something you can remember very clearly?
• Have you ever blocked out a memory?
• What helps you jog your memory?
• Are you good at remembering people's names?
• What is something you have memorised?

Answer in full sentences.

VOCABULARY – MEMORY

• block out a memory – stop yourself from remembering something
Example: He tried to block out the memory of the accident.

• commit something to memory – learn something so that you can remember it
Example: She committed the information to memory.

• have a selective memory – remember only certain things, especially convenient ones
Example: He has a selective memory when it comes to arguments.

• jog someone's memory – help someone remember something
Example: This photo jogged my memory.

• memorise – learn something so you can remember it
Example: I memorised the new vocabulary before the exam.

• realise – suddenly understand or become aware of something
Example: I suddenly realised that I had met him before.

• recall – remember something
Example: I can't recall exactly what happened.

Say each word or expression out loud.

GRAMMAR – PAST TENSE

Past simple

Use it for completed actions in the past.

• I memorised the poem yesterday.
• She realised her mistake.
• He recalled the conversation.

Past continuous

Use it for an action that was happening at a particular time in the past.

• I was trying to remember his name.
• She was talking when I suddenly recalled his name.

Past perfect

Use it for something that happened before another past event.

• I had memorised the information before the test started.
• She had forgotten the address before she realised she needed it.

DIALOGUE – A FORGOTTEN MEMORY

Anna: Do you remember what happened that night?

Mark: Not really. I've tried to block out the memory.

Anna: This photo might jog your memory.

Mark: Wait... I suddenly recall being there.

Anna: What were you doing?

Mark: I was talking to Sarah when I realised that I'd forgotten my phone.

Anna: So you remember now?

Mark: Yes. I have a selective memory, apparently!

Read again and practise.

SHORT ARTICLE

When I was younger, I memorised things very easily. Before exams, I committed large amounts of information to memory and rarely forgot anything. As I got older, however, I noticed that my memory changed.

One day, I was looking through some old photographs when one particular picture jogged my memory. I suddenly recalled an event that I had completely forgotten about. At first, I couldn't remember where I had been, but then I realised that I had been on holiday with my family.

My brother says I have a selective memory because I remember all the fun parts but forget the embarrassing ones. Perhaps he's right!

Read the article twice.

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

Memory expressions

• block out a memory
• commit something to memory
• have a selective memory
• jog someone's memory
• memorise something
• realise something
• recall something

Past tenses

• Past simple → completed past actions
• Past continuous → actions in progress
• Past perfect → earlier past actions

Full sentence model

• I was looking at an old photograph when it jogged my memory, and I recalled something I had completely forgotten.

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

Answer in full sentences.

• What is something you can recall from your childhood?
• Have you ever tried to block out a memory?
• What usually helps jog your memory?
• What is something you have had to memorise?
• When was the last time you realised that you had forgotten something important?
• Do you think you have a selective memory?
• What information is important enough to commit to memory?
• Tell a short story about something you were doing when you suddenly recalled something.
• What is something you had memorised in the past but have now forgotten?

HOMEWORK (WRITE & RECORD)

Writing

Write 10 sentences:

• 4 using the vocabulary
• 6 using different past tenses

Use at least 6 vocabulary items.