Use of English

Digital Memory

Many people worry that modern technology is changing the way we remember things. In the past, if you wanted to keep a phone number, you had to learn it (0) BY heart. Today, most of us simply save it in our contacts and trust our devices to do the work. Some researchers argue that this habit can (1) .......... our memory, because we practise recalling information less often. Others disagree and say that technology does not replace memory; it just changes what we focus (2) .......... . Instead of remembering facts, we remember where to find them. This is why people may quickly (3) .......... up an answer online but struggle to recall it later. However, it would be unfair to blame phones for everything. Memory is also affected by stress, lack of sleep, and the constant (4) .......... of notifications. When your attention is interrupted, it is harder to store information properly. A sensible approach is to use technology as a tool, not a crutch. For example, you can (5) .......... down key ideas after a meeting, but still try to summarise them without looking. You can also (6) .......... yourself by turning off alerts while studying. In the end, the question is not whether technology is good or bad, but how we choose to (7) .......... it. If we rely on it too heavily, we may (8) .......... out on the chance to train our brains.