What happens to the forgetting curve as you re-study material?

• A. The forgetting curve gets steeper
• B. The forgetting curve gets shallower
• C. The forgetting curve reverses
• D. The forgetting curve remains unchanged

Answer: (B)

When you first learn something, memory tends to fade over time—that's the forgetting curve. Re-studying reinforces the memory trace, making it more durable. Each additional review increases what you can recall after a delay, so the rate at which you forget slows down. In graph terms, the curve becomes less steep after you re-study, i.e., it gets shallower. This reflects improved long-term retention from spaced practice. The other possibilities imply faster forgetting, a complete rebound, or no change, which contradict how reinforcing the material strengthens memory and slows decay.