(单词翻译:单击)
Psychological research shows we consistently underestimate our mental powers.
心理学研究表明，我们一直低估了我们的记忆力。
If you think this does not apply to you, then here is a simple test to show you're wrong.
如果你觉得这个研究对你不适用，那么这里有个简单的测验来证明你是错误的。
Write down the names of all the American states you can remember.
请写下所有你能记住的美国的州名。
Put the list away, and then set yourself the same task a week later.
然后把这个名单放在一边，一周后再做这个测验。
Provided you have not cheated by consulting an atlas, you will notice something rather surprising.
只要你不看地图作弊，你会注意到相当令人吃惊的事情。
The two lists will contain roughly the same number of states, but they will not be identical.
这两个名单包含的州名数大致相同，但不会一模一样。
Some names will have slipped away, but others will have replaced them.
一些州名会漏写，但会有其它的州名代替它们。
This suggests that somewhere in your mind you may well have a record of virtually every state.
这表明你大脑某处有一份每个州名的记录。
So it is not really your memory letting you down, just your ability to retrieve information from it.
因此，并不真正是你的记忆力不好，而是你从大脑中调取信息能力的好坏而已。
We would remember a lot more if we had more confidence in your memories and knew how to use them properly.
如果我们对自己的记忆力更有自信并知道如何恰当运用，我们就能记住更多的东西。
One useful tip is that things are more likely to be remembered if you are in exactly the same state and place as you were when you learn them.
一个实用的小窍门是如果你学习某东西的时候是在同一个州的同一个地点，那么这个东西就更容易被记住。
So if you are a student who always reviews over black coffee, perhaps it would be sensible to prime yourself with a cup before the exam.
因此，如果你是一位靠喝黑咖啡复习知识的学生，那么在考试前喝杯咖啡来做准备或许才是明智的选择。
If possible, you should also try to learn information in the room where it is going to be tested.
要是有可能，你还应该尽可能地在进行测验的教室里学知识。
When you learn is also important.
什么时候学习也很重要。
Lots of people swear they can absorb new information more efficiently at some times of the day than at others.
很多人明确表示他们在一天的某个时候比其他人能更有效地吸收新知识。
Research shows this is not just imagination.
研究表明这并不是凭空想象出来的东西。
There is a biological rhythm for learning.
学习是有生物节奏的。
Though it affects different people in different ways, for most of us the best plan is to take in new information in the morning,
尽管它在不同的人身上有不同的表现，但对我们大多数人来说，最佳的方案就是在早上学习新知识，
and then try to consolidate it into memory during the afternoon.
然后尽可能在下午巩固它来加深记忆。
But this does not apply to everyone, so it is essential to establish your own rhythm.
但该方案并不是对所有人都适用，因此弄清楚你自己的生物节奏至关重要。
You can do this by learning a set number of lines of poetry at different times of the day, and see when most lines stick.
你可以通过这种方式来弄清楚自己的生物节奏——那就是在一天的不同时刻学习一定行数的诗句，然后看你什么时候记忆力最好，背诵的诗句最多。
When you have done this, try to organize your life
你做好了这件事的时候，那就努力规划好你的生活，
so that the time set aside for learning coincides with the time when your memory is at its best.
这样你就能留出时间在你记忆力最佳的时候学习知识。
Avoid learning marathons. They do not make the best use of your mind.
避免长时间地学习。否则你就没有充分利用你的记忆力。
Take plenty of breaks, because they offer a double bonus.
经常休息，因为这会收到事半功倍的效果。
The time off gives your mind a chance to do some preliminary consolidation, and it also gives a memory boost to the learning.
休息能让你大脑有机会做一些初步的巩固，提升学习记忆力。
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.
问题19到22是基于你刚才所听到那段的录音。
Question 19: What does the simple test suggest?
问题19：那个简单的测验表明了什么？
Question 20: What do we learn about the two lists in the test?
问题20：我们能从测验中的两份名单中学到什么？
Question 21: What does the speaker suggest about preparing for and taking an exam?
问题21：说话者给备考和参加考试的人的建议是什么？
Question 22: What tip does the speaker give on learning?
问题22：对于学习，说话者给出的小窍门是？
译文属可可原创，仅供学习和交流使用，未经允许不得转载
