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Difficulty: HardTranslating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

For decades, cognitive scientists subscribed to the view that human memory operates like a filing cabinet, retrieving static files upon demand. However, recent neurobiological research indicates that recollection is actually an active reconstruction process, where the brain synthesizes disparate neural traces anew each time a memory is recalled. This means that a memory is not a pristine replica of the past, but rather a freshly assembled representation that is highly susceptible to modification by the retriever's current emotional state and contextual cues. Consequently, the act of remembering is inherently creative rather than purely reproductive, continually reshaping the individual's subjective past.

Based on the passage, the author indicates that human memory recollection is characterized by which of the following?

  1. A
    the mechanical retrieval of unchanging mental files that remain insulated from a person's immediate environment
  2. the assembly of a new mental representation that is vulnerable to changes based on a person's current feelings and situationAnswer
  3. C
    the exact replication of past experiences by restoring the specific emotions felt during the original event
  4. D
    the adjustment of memories to ensure they conform more precisely to the objective facts of the past

Answer

the assembly of a new mental representation that is vulnerable to changes based on a person's current feelings and situation
The correct answer accurately paraphrases the statement that memory is 'a freshly assembled representation' that is 'highly susceptible to modification by the retriever's current emotional state and contextual cues.' This corresponds directly to the concept of a new mental representation that can be altered by current feelings and situations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target literal statement in the passage referring to the nature of memory recollection.
The passage states that memory is 'not a pristine replica of the past, but rather a freshly assembled representation that is highly susceptible to modification by the retriever's current emotional state and contextual cues.'
This locates the specific detail in the text that needs to be paraphrased.
2
Match the target statement to the option that contains an accurate paraphrase without introducing meaning distortions.
The concept of 'freshly assembled representation' matches 'assembly of a new mental representation,' and being 'susceptible to modification by... current emotional state and contextual cues' matches being 'vulnerable to changes based on... current feelings and situation.'
This ensures the correct option is selected based on literal translation.

Key Concept

Translating literal statements in a passage into accurate paraphrases.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Translating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

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