How strong language changes memories - Unit 1

C2 Proficiency · Open Cloze · Close-up C2 Workbook, National Geographic Learning

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.

Researchers (1) ___ been studying the psychological phenomenon known as false memory since the mid-1970s. The first experiments involved having participants watch videos of car accidents and, after they (2) ___ , researchers would ask some of them the question, 'How fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other?' Other participants were asked the same question, but the verb smashed was changed to either hit, collided, bumped or contacted, and depending on the verb, participants (3) ___ answer differently. In another experiment, researchers asked participants to recall certain details about the accidents. Even though broken glass had (4) ___ appeared in any video, some would purport that they had in fact seen glass break if the researcher used a more dynamic verb in the question. Nowadays, researchers (5) ___ studying the phenomenon to help people recall events in their lives so painful that they had (6) ___ burying their memories of them for decades. This phenomenon also raises questions about the accuracy of witness testimonials in the legal arena. In the past, courts (7) ___ to often accept eyewitness testimonies as unassailable fact, yet research (8) ___ since shown that our memories can be manipulated by a multitude of factors, such as a barrister's choice of words or aggressive witness cross-examination during the trial.

How strong language changes memories

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

More C2 Proficiency Open Cloze practice · All C2 Proficiency practice