How can long-term memories be retrieved, according to the material?

• A. Only by visual cues
• B. By word queries
• C. Only through mental imagery
• D. By random recall

Answer: (B)

Retrieving long-term memories relies on retrieval cues that activate the memory trace. Language-based prompts—word queries—are a powerful form of cue because they tap the semantic and lexical links built into the memory network. When you encounter a word, it activates related concepts and associations, making the specific memory more accessible and easier to recall. This aligns with how memories are organized in networks: cues that share elements with the encoding context help reconstruct the memory.

Visual cues or mental imagery can aid recall, but they aren’t the sole or most reliable path in all cases. Random recall is unlikely because, without a guiding prompt, the retrieval pathways are less likely to be activated.