Forever New

Which segment of the text most vividly depicts the author's stance on the importance of the hippocampus in memory formation?

• A) “A common theory is that as you learn new things they temporarily get stored, probably in the area of the cortex. Over time, the hippocampus helps determine which ones are candidates for long-term storage. As you go through a day, every single thing that happens to you isn’t something that you necessarily want to preserve for the rest of your life. What you ate for breakfast, for example. But other things that happen might be worth storing over the long haul and it seems that the hippocampus helps to sort that out in some mysterious way.”

• B) “During sleep, the hippocampus is very active,” says Dr. Myers, describing research being conducted by her colleagues. “Possibly during sleep the hippocampus is helping to literally replay the events of the day, strengthening the memories that deserve to be strengthened and perhaps weakening the ones that don’t. While sleeping, the brain is allowed to regroup and sort through some of the recent experiences that have happened. That could be part of what’s going on in dreaming...elements that happened during the day get played back, sifted through, and reassessed. It’s very cool.”

• C) “The hippocampus is the first and worst affected part of the brain when oxygen gets cut off,” says Dr. Myers. “Why this is so is a big, open question. There are theories, but I’m not sure there is a definite answer.”

• D) “You can look at these folks’ brains on an MRI [magnetic resonance image] and people who know how to look can tell straight off that the person is going to have anterograde amnesia because there’s a hole where the hippocampus should be.”

Answer explanation

Choice A vividly illustrates the author's view on the hippocampus's role in memory formation, explaining how it helps select which memories are stored long-term, emphasizing its importance in processing daily experiences.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the author employ evidence in the text to advocate for the notion that anterograde amnesia can significantly impact a person's life?

• The author uses Clive Wearing's diary entries to illustrate the struggles of living with anterograde amnesia, highlighting the constant feeling of being “forever new.”

• The author relies on expert opinions from Dr. Catherine Myers, a specialist in memory disorders, to provide a scientific understanding of the condition.

• The author presents a range of causes for anterograde amnesia, including viral encephalitis and hypoxia, to demonstrate the diverse ways it can affect individuals.

• The author focuses on the emotional impact of anterograde amnesia by describing the challenges faced by Deborah Wearing, Clive's wife, in supporting him.

Answer explanation

The author effectively uses Clive Wearing's diary to show the daily struggles of anterograde amnesia, emphasizing his perpetual sense of being 'forever new.' Additionally, the emotional toll on his wife, Deborah, highlights the profound impact of the condition.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which of the following statements best reflects the central theme of the passage?

• Anterograde amnesia is a debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person's life.

• The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation and its damage can lead to severe memory loss.

• Despite the challenges of living with anterograde amnesia, individuals can still find happiness and meaning in life.

• Scientific research is essential for understanding and treating memory disorders like anterograde amnesia.

Answer explanation

The correct choice emphasizes that individuals with anterograde amnesia can still lead fulfilling lives, highlighting resilience despite their challenges, which aligns with the central theme of finding happiness and meaning.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How does the author use the example of Clive Wearing to support the central theme of the passage?

• Clive's case demonstrates the devastating effects of anterograde amnesia on a person's ability to form new memories.

• Clive's diary entries provide a firsthand account of the challenges and frustrations of living with anterograde amnesia.

• Clive's story highlights the importance of love and support in helping individuals cope with memory loss.

• Clive's experience underscores the need for further research into the causes and treatments for anterograde amnesia.

Answer explanation

Clive's case illustrates the severe impact of anterograde amnesia, showing how it hinders the ability to create new memories, which supports the central theme of the passage regarding memory loss.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

How does the author use the example of Clive Wearing to illustrate the challenges of anterograde amnesia?

• The author uses Clive's story to show how anterograde amnesia can affect a person's ability to form new memories and live a normal life.

• The author uses Clive's case to demonstrate the emotional impact of anterograde amnesia on both the individual and their loved ones.

• The author uses Clive's diary entries to provide a firsthand account of the experience of living with anterograde amnesia.

• The author uses Clive's story to highlight the importance of scientific research in understanding and treating anterograde amnesia.

Answer explanation

The author uses Clive's story to show how anterograde amnesia can severely impair a person's ability to create new memories, illustrating the profound impact on their daily life and overall functioning.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

How does the author's use of expert opinions from Dr. Catherine Myers contribute to the overall message of the text?

• Dr. Myers's insights provide a scientific perspective on the role of the hippocampus in memory formation and the impact of its damage.

• Dr. Myers's opinions help to explain the complex nature of anterograde amnesia and the challenges faced by those who suffer from it.

• Dr. Myers's expertise adds credibility to the author's claims about the causes and effects of anterograde amnesia.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

Dr. Myers's insights provide scientific context, clarify the complexities of anterograde amnesia, and enhance the credibility of the author's claims, making 'All of the above' the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6