Scientists studying memory formation found that new information is first stored temporarily in the hippocampus. During sleep, particularly during deep sleep phases, this information is gradually transferred to the cortex for long-term storage. Participants who were sleep-deprived after learning new material performed significantly worse on memory tests than those who slept normally.
The passage suggests that
the hippocampus stores memories permanently
sleep has no effect on learning and memory
sleep plays a functional role in consolidating newly learned information
all memory problems are caused by lack of sleep
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Memory transfer happens during sleep, and sleep deprivation impairs memory.
- Context clues: Information transfers "during sleep"; sleep-deprived participants "performed significantly worse."
- Meaning: Sleep is necessary for the consolidation process to complete.
- Verify: The comparison between rested and sleep-deprived groups shows sleep's function.
💡 Strategy: When a biological process occurs during a specific state, infer that state's functional importance.
Choice A is incorrect because the hippocampus stores information "temporarily." Choice B is incorrect because sleep-deprived people performed worse. Choice D is incorrect because the passage doesn't claim all problems stem from sleep.