如何增强你的记忆力

 【原文】

I’m going to describe a memory technique called the journey method. It combines the link system and peg¹ methods in a way that makes a very powerful tool for remembering long lists or quite complex information.

　　The key to the journey method is to think of a route that you know very well. It could be your route to work, or to a relative’s house. Then you need to think of the important places, the landmarks² along this route. Examples of landmarks are doors, traffic lights, buildings you pass on the journey, etc. At this stage it’s a good idea to write the landmarks down on a piece of paper in the order they occur on the route. This makes sure that you have the route and landmarks very clear in your head. Now you are ready to remember your first list.

　　We’ll start with a simple example. You are using your route to the supermarket as the journey, and you have to remember a shopping list. The first three items on your list are coffee, milk and tomatoes. The first three landmarks on your journey are the front door, your garden and your car. You visualise hurriedly drinking a cup of coffee as you open the front door. You go outside and see it has been raining milk, and there is a big puddle³ of milk in your garden. Then you get to your car, and the roof is covered with tomatoes. You continue this way, making each image as memorable⁴ as possible.

　　Once you have mastered this method, you will find that it is a very flexible memory tool. You can have several different journeys, which can be used in either direction. You can also add events and landmarks to a route to accommodate⁵ longer lists of information, and for short lists you can just use part of a route.

 

1 peg   

n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定

参考例句：

• Hang your overcoat on the peg in the hall.把你的大衣挂在门厅的挂衣钩上。
• He hit the peg mightily on the top with a mallet.他用木槌猛敲木栓顶。

2 landmarks   

n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）

参考例句：

• The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句

3 puddle   

n.(雨)水坑，泥潭

参考例句：

• The boy hopped the mud puddle and ran down the walk.这个男孩跳过泥坑，沿着人行道跑了。
• She tripped over and landed in a puddle.她绊了一下，跌在水坑里。

4 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

5 accommodate   

vt.容纳，向...提供住处，使适应，顺应

参考例句：

• You should soon accommodate yourself to the new circumstance.你应尽快适应新环境。
• Are there enough shelves to accommodate all our books?有足够的书架容纳我们所有的书吗？