Q.1 Which of the following best describes 'working memory' in learning?
A long-term store for all learned information
A temporary system for holding and processing information
Memory for motor skills only
The ability to recall past life events
Explanation - Working memory is a limited capacity system used for temporarily holding and manipulating information required for complex tasks like learning, reasoning, and comprehension.
Correct answer is: A temporary system for holding and processing information
Q.2 Which cognitive process involves identifying similarities between new and previously learned information?
Encoding
Transfer
Metacognition
Schema activation
Explanation - Transfer refers to applying prior knowledge or skills to new learning situations, recognizing similarities, and using past experiences to facilitate learning.
Correct answer is: Transfer
Q.3 According to Piaget, which stage involves the development of logical thinking about abstract concepts?
Sensorimotor
Preoperational
Concrete operational
Formal operational
Explanation - The formal operational stage (around age 11+) is when individuals develop the ability to think logically about abstract ideas and hypothetical situations.
Correct answer is: Formal operational
Q.4 Which of the following strategies enhances encoding of information into long-term memory?
Rote repetition only
Elaboration and meaningful association
Ignoring irrelevant details
Passive reading
Explanation - Elaboration, or connecting new information to prior knowledge, helps encode information more deeply into long-term memory, improving retention.
Correct answer is: Elaboration and meaningful association
Q.5 Metacognition in learning refers to:
Memorizing facts efficiently
The process of observing one's own thinking
Solving problems without planning
Automatic recall of skills
Explanation - Metacognition is awareness and control over one’s own cognitive processes, including planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning strategies.
Correct answer is: The process of observing one's own thinking
Q.6 Which type of memory has the largest capacity but shortest duration?
Sensory memory
Short-term memory
Long-term memory
Working memory
Explanation - Sensory memory briefly holds large amounts of incoming sensory information, usually for less than a second, before it decays or is processed further.
Correct answer is: Sensory memory
Q.7 Chunking information helps learners by:
Decreasing working memory load
Eliminating the need for rehearsal
Improving sensory memory capacity
Replacing long-term memory
Explanation - Chunking groups individual pieces of information into larger, meaningful units, reducing cognitive load on working memory and aiding retention.
Correct answer is: Decreasing working memory load
Q.8 Cognitive load theory emphasizes:
Maximizing sensory input
Minimizing unnecessary mental effort during learning
Learning only through repetition
Using short-term memory exclusively
Explanation - Cognitive load theory suggests instructional designs should reduce extraneous cognitive load to optimize working memory and promote effective learning.
Correct answer is: Minimizing unnecessary mental effort during learning
Q.9 Which strategy helps in retrieving information from long-term memory more efficiently?
Massed practice
Spaced repetition
Passive listening
Highlighting only
Explanation - Spaced repetition involves reviewing information at increasing intervals, strengthening memory retrieval pathways in long-term memory.
Correct answer is: Spaced repetition
Q.10 Which of the following illustrates 'deep processing' of information?
Reading a text aloud
Rote memorization of dates
Relating new material to personal experiences
Skimming a paragraph quickly
Explanation - Deep processing involves meaningful analysis of information, such as making connections to personal experiences or prior knowledge, which improves memory retention.
Correct answer is: Relating new material to personal experiences
Q.11 The 'spacing effect' in learning is most closely associated with:
Immediate repetition of material
Distributing learning over time
Learning only in a single session
Using multiple study topics at once
Explanation - The spacing effect shows that learning is more effective when study sessions are spaced over time rather than massed in one sitting.
Correct answer is: Distributing learning over time
Q.12 Which process converts sensory input into a form usable by working memory?
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Consolidation
Explanation - Encoding transforms sensory information into mental representations that can be stored and processed in working memory.
Correct answer is: Encoding
Q.13 Self-explanation during learning primarily aids:
Improving motor skills
Enhancing comprehension and problem-solving
Speeding up rote memorization
Reducing metacognitive awareness
Explanation - Self-explanation encourages learners to generate inferences and make sense of information, improving understanding and cognitive processing.
Correct answer is: Enhancing comprehension and problem-solving
Q.14 Cognitive apprenticeship emphasizes:
Learning only through textbooks
Guided learning with expert modeling
Purely independent problem solving
Memorization without context
Explanation - Cognitive apprenticeship involves teaching cognitive skills through modeling, coaching, and scaffolding, similar to traditional apprenticeships.
Correct answer is: Guided learning with expert modeling
Q.15 Which type of rehearsal is most effective for long-term retention?
Maintenance rehearsal
Elaborative rehearsal
Passive rehearsal
Mechanical repetition
Explanation - Elaborative rehearsal links new information to existing knowledge, creating meaningful connections that enhance long-term memory.
Correct answer is: Elaborative rehearsal
Q.16 Which cognitive process involves selecting relevant information and ignoring distractions?
Attention
Encoding
Consolidation
Transfer
Explanation - Attention is the cognitive process of focusing on important stimuli while filtering out irrelevant information, crucial for effective learning.
Correct answer is: Attention
Q.17 Constructivist approaches to learning emphasize:
Passive absorption of facts
Active construction of knowledge by learners
Memorization without context
Learning only from authority figures
Explanation - Constructivist theory suggests learners actively build understanding through experiences, interactions, and reflection rather than passively receiving information.
Correct answer is: Active construction of knowledge by learners
Q.18 Which of the following best describes 'dual coding theory'?
Learning is faster with repetition only
Information is processed better when presented both visually and verbally
Memory depends solely on verbal rehearsal
Learning is limited to one sensory modality
Explanation - Dual coding theory posits that information presented in both verbal and visual forms enhances learning and retention compared to a single modality.
Correct answer is: Information is processed better when presented both visually and verbally
Q.19 Which factor is most likely to influence the effectiveness of cognitive strategies in learning?
Age and prior knowledge
Room temperature
Time of day only
Physical activity immediately before learning
Explanation - Cognitive strategies are more effective when they match learners’ developmental stage and existing knowledge, which provides a framework for understanding new information.
Correct answer is: Age and prior knowledge
Q.20 Schema theory in learning explains:
Memory is unlimited
Knowledge is organized into structured frameworks influencing comprehension
All information is stored randomly
Learning happens automatically without prior knowledge
Explanation - Schemas are mental structures that help organize and interpret information, allowing learners to predict, understand, and remember new material.
Correct answer is: Knowledge is organized into structured frameworks influencing comprehension
Q.21 Which of the following is an example of 'context-dependent memory'?
Remembering a list better in the same environment it was learned
Recalling facts randomly
Memorizing without attention
Learning is independent of context
Explanation - Context-dependent memory shows that retrieval is more effective when the learning environment matches the recall environment.
Correct answer is: Remembering a list better in the same environment it was learned
Q.22 Cognitive flexibility allows learners to:
Switch between different concepts and perspectives effectively
Focus on one rigid solution
Ignore prior knowledge
Rely solely on memorization
Explanation - Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to adapt thinking and problem-solving strategies to new and changing situations, enhancing learning and creativity.
Correct answer is: Switch between different concepts and perspectives effectively
Q.23 Which of the following best exemplifies 'active retrieval practice'?
Rereading notes multiple times
Self-testing on key concepts
Listening to lectures passively
Highlighting textbook passages only
Explanation - Active retrieval practice strengthens memory by forcing learners to recall information, improving retention more effectively than passive review.
Correct answer is: Self-testing on key concepts
Q.24 Which learning strategy reduces interference and improves retention?
Interleaving practice
Massed repetition
Ignoring prior knowledge
Studying unrelated topics consecutively
Explanation - Interleaving mixes different topics or skills during practice, which enhances learning by improving discrimination and reducing interference between concepts.
Correct answer is: Interleaving practice
Q.25 Which concept explains why connecting new learning to emotions enhances memory?
Cognitive load
Affective learning
Emotional arousal and encoding
Rote memorization
Explanation - Emotional experiences enhance memory encoding and consolidation, making information more memorable due to activation of brain regions linked to emotion and cognition.
Correct answer is: Emotional arousal and encoding