Chunking :Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects (Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects) Answers 2026

Question 1

Best TWO study methods to avoid illusions of competence:

• ❌ Reread a text many times

• ✅ Recall the main ideas of a text

• ✅ Test yourself to evaluate how well you’re doing

• ❌ Just look at the solution

• ❌ Highlight or underline everything

Explanation:
Active recall and self-testing expose what you don’t know, which prevents false confidence.

Question 2

Correct word:

• ✅ transfer

• ❌ interleaving

• ❌ chunking

• ❌ recall

• ❌ overlearning

Explanation:
Transfer is when a chunk learned in one area helps learning in another.

Question 3

True statements about chunks/chunking:

• ✅ Well-ingrained chunks don’t require conscious effort

• ❌ Chunking is due to hemispheric problems

• ✅ Chunking improves brain efficiency

• ❌ Chunking is an illusion of competence

• ❌ Chunking interferes with learning

• ✅ Retrieval enhances learning and helps form chunks

Explanation:
Chunking is a core learning mechanism that improves efficiency and understanding.

Question 4

True statements about the “octopus of attention”:

• ✅ Focused attention reaches through working memory slots

• ✅ Focused-mode connections differ from diffuse-mode connections

• ❌ Diffuse mode uses the octopus of attention

• ❌ It’s about slippery skin and forgetting

Explanation:
The octopus analogy describes intentional focused attention, not diffuse thinking.

Question 5

Three vital steps in making a chunk:

• ✅ Focused attention

• ✅ Understanding of the basic idea

• ❌ Simple memorization

• ❌ Exercise

• ❌ Spending time away

• ✅ Practice to gain mastery and big-picture context

Explanation:
Attention, understanding, and practice together form strong chunks.

Question 6

Correct term:

• ❌ Intentional

• ✅ Deliberate

• ❌ Interleaving

• ❌ Focused

• ❌ Retrieval

Explanation:
Deliberate practice targets weaknesses and accelerates expertise.

Question 7

True statements about understanding:

• ✅ You can create a chunk without understanding, but it’s often useless

• ❌ Understanding alone is enough

• ❌ Avoid understanding when chunking

• ✅ Understanding acts like superglue for memory traces

Explanation:
Understanding strengthens and connects chunks meaningfully.

Question 8

True statements about chunking:

• ✅ Chunking is important but not sufficient alone

• ✅ More practiced chunks improve problem-solving

• ✅ Chunks help connect new concepts across fields

• ✅ Combining chunks drives innovation

• ✅ Expertise grows by building many chunks

Explanation:
Creative flexibility comes from a rich, well-practiced chunk library.

Question 9

True statements about learning:

• ✅ Overworking in one session doesn’t strengthen long-term memory

• ❌ Jumping straight into homework without learning basics (this is a mistake, but the statement itself describes the mistake → ❌)

• ✅ Interleaving builds flexibility and creativity

• ✅ Interleaving may feel harder but improves deep learning

Explanation:
Interleaving and spacing improve durable, flexible learning.

Question 10

Correct term:

• ✅ Einstellung

• ❌ Overlearning

• ❌ Blocking

• ❌ Interleaving

• ❌ Chunking

• ❌ Choking

• ❌ Illusions of competence

Explanation:
Einstellung is when old ideas block better solutions.

Question 11

True statements about neuromodulators:

• ❌ Dopamine affects social life and risk-taking

• ✅ Acetylcholine affects focused learning and attention

• ❌ Acetylcholine affects social life and risk-taking

• ✅ Serotonin affects social life and risk-taking behavior

• ✅ Dopamine signals unexpected reward

Explanation:
Each neuromodulator has a distinct role in learning and behavior.

Question 12

Best next step when stuck after intense focus:

• ❌ Keep working nonstop

• ✅ Go to sleep and try again in the morning

• ❌ Stare intently

• ❌ Rework repeatedly without a break

Explanation:
Sleep activates diffuse processing and often leads to insight.

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