Memory (2)
IELTS SPEAKING TOPIC PART 1
1. Vocabulary Exercise: Memory-Related Words
Match the words with their meanings:
1. Memorize a) To remember something from the past, often
2. Recall fondly
3. Reminisce b) To intentionally learn something by heart
4. Retain c) To keep information in your memory
5. Forgetful d) To bring a forgotten fact back to mind
6. Jog/refresh your e) To forget something temporarily
memory f) Often forgetting things
7. Commit to memory g) To remember something with effort
8. Slip your mind h) To learn something so you remember it perfectly
2. Collocations Exercise: Memory & Forgetting
Fill in the blanks with the correct words:
• short-term / long-term memory
• hazy / vivid recollection
• memory lapse
• commit something to memory (formal): make yourself remember something
• memory fades
• brought back memories
• a memory springs to mind
• childhood home: refers to the place where an indidual spent their early years, often
influencing their identity, memories, and experiences
• to have a memory like a sieve = forget things very easily
1. I have a ____________ (unclear) memory of my childhood home.
2. After the accident, he suffered from frequent ______________ (moments of
forgetting).
3. If you want to remember a speech, you should ______________ it _________________.
4. Over time, even the strongest ______________ (memory weakens).
5. When I think of my school days, one particular ______________ (comes to mind
immediately).
6. I’m sorry. I have ________________________. I forgot you were coming today!
7. For many older people, the film ________________________ ________ of the war.
8. I’ll never forget my first flight because the view was so ______________—the clouds
looked like cotton candy! I still reminisce about it often. Though I’m usually forgetful,
this memory stuck with me.
3 Match idioms to their meanings:
1. In one ear and out the other a) Impossible to forget
2. Take a trip down memory lane b) Remembering happy past times
3. Memory like a sieve c) Very forgetful
4. Etched in your memory d) Ignoring what you hear
4 Memory Vocabulary Challenge
Choose the best word to complete each sentence.
1. "I have a ______ memory of my first day at school—it feels like a dream."
a) sharp
b) hazy
c) photographic
2. "If you want to remember a phone number, try repeating it aloud to ______ it to
memory."
a) lose
b) commit
c) remind
3. "She’s so ______—she even forgets where she puts her keys daily!"
a) forgetful
b) memorable
c) retentive
4. "The smell of fresh bread ______ my memory of my grandmother’s kitchen."
a) jogs
b) erases
c) memorizes
5. "I know his face, but his name ______. It’s on the tip of my tongue!"
a) slips my mind
b) rings a bell
c) springs to mind
Answers 1: 1-h, 2-g, 3-a, 4-c, 5-f, 6-d, 7-b, 8-e
Answers 2: 1-hazy, 2-memory lapses, 3-commit...to memory, 4-memory
fades, 5-memory springs to mind, 6- a memory like a sieve, 7- brought back
memories, 8 - vivid
Answers 3 : 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
Answers 4: 1-b, 2-b, 3-a, 4-a, 5-a
1. What do you have to remember to do every day?
2. Is it easy for you to forget to do these things?
3. Are you good at memorizing things?
4. How do you help yourself to remember things?
5. Have you ever forgotten something that was important?