{ "format": "novus-learn-open-practice", "version": 1, "packId": "cognitive-skills-working-memory", "source": "cognitive-skills", "slug": "working-memory", "title": "Working memory: hold, update, and manipulate: open practice pack", "subtitle": "100 untimed questions across 10 authored sections.", "sourceHref": "/cognitive-skills/working-memory", "disclaimer": "This is untimed educational practice for one cognitive skill. It is not a clinical, diagnostic, employment, or professionally recognized assessment, and it does not produce an IQ score or credential.", "worksheet": { "title": "Learner worksheet", "instructions": [ "Working memory is the skill of holding, updating, and manipulating short sequences, rules, or instructions entirely in your head. Work through each section at your own pace, and try to answer from memory without scrolling back. That is what makes this genuine working-memory practice rather than a lookup.", "Choose one answer for each item. For a delayed-recall item, read its study text, cover it, and then answer without looking back." ], "groups": [ { "id": "working-memory-s01", "title": "Holding short sequences", "instructions": "Read each short sequence once, hold it in mind, and answer without re-reading.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s01-q01", "prompt": "Sequence: 8 - 3 - 6 - 1 - 9. What is the sum of the first and last digits?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "15" }, { "id": "b", "label": "16" }, { "id": "c", "label": "17" }, { "id": "d", "label": "18" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q02", "prompt": "Sequence: R - K - P - M - T. Which letter is exactly in the middle position?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "K" }, { "id": "b", "label": "P" }, { "id": "c", "label": "M" }, { "id": "d", "label": "T" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q03", "prompt": "Hold these three words in mind: BASKET, UMBRELLA, CANDLE. Which one has the most letters?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Basket" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Umbrella" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Candle" }, { "id": "d", "label": "They are all the same length" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q04", "prompt": "Sequence: 4 - 7 - 2 - 9 - 5 - 1. Reading backward from the last digit, what is the third digit you reach?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "5" }, { "id": "b", "label": "9" }, { "id": "c", "label": "2" }, { "id": "d", "label": "7" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q05", "prompt": "Hold in mind: apple = 3, banana = 5, cherry = 2. What is apple + cherry?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "5" }, { "id": "b", "label": "7" }, { "id": "c", "label": "8" }, { "id": "d", "label": "10" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q06", "prompt": "Shape sequence: circle, triangle, circle, square, triangle. How many circles appeared?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "1" }, { "id": "b", "label": "2" }, { "id": "c", "label": "3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q07", "prompt": "Sequence: 5 - 2 - 8. What is the sum of all three digits?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "13" }, { "id": "b", "label": "14" }, { "id": "c", "label": "16" }, { "id": "d", "label": "15" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q08", "prompt": "Hold these words in mind: LAMP, RIVER, STONE. Which word came second?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Lamp" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Stone" }, { "id": "c", "label": "River" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Stove" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q09", "prompt": "Sequence: T - F - B - X. Which letter came immediately after F?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "B" }, { "id": "b", "label": "X" }, { "id": "c", "label": "T" }, { "id": "d", "label": "F" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s01-q10", "prompt": "Colour sequence: red, green, blue, green. How many times did green appear?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "1" }, { "id": "b", "label": "3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "4" }, { "id": "d", "label": "2" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02", "title": "Ordered recall after study", "instructions": "Each item shows material to study first: continue to hide it, then answer entirely from memory.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s02-q01", "studyText": "Study this sequence, then continue: 7, 1, 8, 4.", "prompt": "What was the third number in the sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "1" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "8" }, { "id": "d", "label": "7" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q02", "studyText": "Study this word list in order, then continue: FERN, TIGER, CLOUD, BRICK.", "prompt": "Which word was last in the list?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Cloud" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Brick" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Tiger" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Fern" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q03", "studyText": "Study these letters in order, then continue: G, M, S, K, V.", "prompt": "Which letter was in the middle (third) position?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "M" }, { "id": "b", "label": "K" }, { "id": "c", "label": "G" }, { "id": "d", "label": "S" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q04", "studyText": "Study this list, then continue: spoon, ladder, candle, marble, ribbon.", "prompt": "Which of these was NOT in the list?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Ladder" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Marble" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Ribbon" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Carpet" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q05", "studyText": "Study this sequence, then continue: 3, 9, 9, 2, 6.", "prompt": "Which number appeared twice?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "9" }, { "id": "b", "label": "3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "2" }, { "id": "d", "label": "6" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q06", "studyText": "Study these names in order, then continue: Priya, Callum, Nadia, Tomas.", "prompt": "Who was listed immediately before Nadia?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Priya" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Tomas" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Callum" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Nadia" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q07", "studyText": "Study this short instruction, then continue: \"Turn left at the library, then take the second door on the right.\"", "prompt": "Which door should you take after turning at the library?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "The first door on the left" }, { "id": "b", "label": "The second door on the right" }, { "id": "c", "label": "The second door on the left" }, { "id": "d", "label": "The first door on the right" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q08", "studyText": "Study this sequence, then continue: Q, 4, R, 7, Z.", "prompt": "How many letters (as opposed to digits) were in the sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "3" }, { "id": "b", "label": "2" }, { "id": "c", "label": "4" }, { "id": "d", "label": "5" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q09", "studyText": "Study this list in order, then continue: violet, amber, teal, coral, olive, slate.", "prompt": "Which colour was fifth in the list?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Coral" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Olive" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Slate" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Teal" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s02-q10", "studyText": "Study this sequence, then continue: 6, 2, 7, 5, 1, 9, 3.", "prompt": "What was the second-to-last number?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "1" }, { "id": "b", "label": "3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9" }, { "id": "d", "label": "5" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03", "title": "Reversing and reordering", "instructions": "Hold each sequence, then mentally reverse, swap, or re-sort it before answering.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s03-q01", "prompt": "Sequence: 4 - 1 - 7. Say it backwards in your head. What is the middle digit of the reversed sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "4" }, { "id": "b", "label": "7" }, { "id": "c", "label": "1" }, { "id": "d", "label": "It cannot be known" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q02", "prompt": "Sequence: N - E - P - A. Reversed, which letter comes first?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "A" }, { "id": "b", "label": "N" }, { "id": "c", "label": "P" }, { "id": "d", "label": "E" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q03", "prompt": "Sequence: 2 - 8 - 5 - 3. Read backwards, what are the first two digits?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "2 then 8" }, { "id": "b", "label": "3 then 5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "5 then 3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "8 then 2" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q04", "prompt": "Sequence: 9 - 4 - 6 - 2 - 7. If you reverse the sequence, which digit is now in the fourth position?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "6" }, { "id": "b", "label": "2" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q05", "studyText": "Study this sequence, then continue: 5, 8, 1, 6.", "prompt": "From memory, what is the sequence in reverse order?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "6, 1, 8, 5" }, { "id": "b", "label": "5, 8, 1, 6" }, { "id": "c", "label": "6, 8, 1, 5" }, { "id": "d", "label": "1, 6, 5, 8" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q06", "prompt": "Sequence: L - D - Q - J - X. Swap the first and last letters in your head. Which letter is now first?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "L" }, { "id": "b", "label": "X" }, { "id": "c", "label": "J" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Q" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q07", "prompt": "Sequence: 3 - 7 - 2 - 9. Sort the digits from smallest to largest in your head. Which digit is now third?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "3" }, { "id": "b", "label": "2" }, { "id": "c", "label": "7" }, { "id": "d", "label": "9" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q08", "prompt": "Sequence: 6 - 1 - 8 - 4 - 5. Move the first digit to the end of the sequence. What is the new middle digit?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "8" }, { "id": "b", "label": "5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q09", "prompt": "Words: PEAR, MINT, OAK. Reverse the word order, then spell the middle word backwards. What do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "TNIM" }, { "id": "b", "label": "KAO" }, { "id": "c", "label": "RAEP" }, { "id": "d", "label": "MINT" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s03-q10", "prompt": "Sequence: 7 - 3 - 8 - 2 - 6 - 4. Reverse the sequence, then find the sum of the first two digits of the reversed sequence.", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "9" }, { "id": "b", "label": "11" }, { "id": "c", "label": "10" }, { "id": "d", "label": "13" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04", "title": "Running totals and updating", "instructions": "Update a value or tally step by step as you read. Carry only the latest state forward.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s04-q01", "prompt": "Start with 5. Add 3, subtract 2, add 4. What number do you finish with?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "9" }, { "id": "b", "label": "10" }, { "id": "c", "label": "11" }, { "id": "d", "label": "8" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q02", "prompt": "Count the vowels as this list goes past: apple, kiwi, plum. How many vowels appear across all three words?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "4" }, { "id": "b", "label": "6" }, { "id": "c", "label": "5" }, { "id": "d", "label": "3" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q03", "prompt": "A lift starts on floor 3. It goes up 4 floors, down 2, up 1. Which floor is it on now?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "6" }, { "id": "b", "label": "5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "7" }, { "id": "d", "label": "8" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q04", "prompt": "Start with the word CART. Replace the first letter with P. Which word do you now have?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "PORT" }, { "id": "b", "label": "CARP" }, { "id": "c", "label": "PART" }, { "id": "d", "label": "TARP" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q05", "prompt": "Keep a running count: how many even numbers pass by in this list: 7, 4, 9, 2, 6, 3, 8?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "3" }, { "id": "b", "label": "5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "2" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q06", "prompt": "Start with 20. Halve it, add 6, then subtract 9. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "8" }, { "id": "b", "label": "7" }, { "id": "c", "label": "6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "9" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q07", "prompt": "Track two counters. Starting at zero, add 1 to counter A each time you read the word LEFT and 1 to counter B each time you read RIGHT: LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT. What are the final values of A and B?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "A = 4, B = 2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "A = 3, B = 3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "A = 2, B = 4" }, { "id": "d", "label": "A = 5, B = 1" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q08", "prompt": "Start at 50. Subtract 7 repeatedly, three times in total. Where do you land?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "31" }, { "id": "b", "label": "27" }, { "id": "c", "label": "36" }, { "id": "d", "label": "29" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q09", "prompt": "Update the letter each step. Start with B. Move forward two places in the alphabet, then back one, then forward three. Which letter do you reach?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "E" }, { "id": "b", "label": "G" }, { "id": "c", "label": "F" }, { "id": "d", "label": "D" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s04-q10", "prompt": "You are tracking stock of one item. Start with 12 units. Sell 5, receive 8, sell 6, receive 2. How many units remain?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "10" }, { "id": "b", "label": "12" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9" }, { "id": "d", "label": "11" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05", "title": "Following multi-step instructions", "instructions": "Hold a short set of instructions in mind and carry them out in order, entirely mentally.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s05-q01", "prompt": "Take the number 6. Double it, then add the number of letters in the word DOG. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "14" }, { "id": "b", "label": "15" }, { "id": "c", "label": "16" }, { "id": "d", "label": "18" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q02", "prompt": "Follow all three steps in your head: think of the word TRAIN; remove the first letter; add the letter S to the end. What word results?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "TRAINS" }, { "id": "b", "label": "RAINS" }, { "id": "c", "label": "SRAIN" }, { "id": "d", "label": "RAIN" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q03", "prompt": "Apply these rules to the number 9: if it is odd, add 5; then, if the result is even, halve it. What do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "7" }, { "id": "b", "label": "9" }, { "id": "c", "label": "14" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q04", "prompt": "Follow the instructions in order: start facing north; turn right; turn right again; turn left. Which direction are you facing?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "North" }, { "id": "b", "label": "South" }, { "id": "c", "label": "West" }, { "id": "d", "label": "East" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q05", "prompt": "Hold this rule: whenever a word contains the letter E, count it. How many of these words get counted: TABLE, CHAIR, DESK, LAMP, SHELF?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "5" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q06", "prompt": "Do all steps mentally: write the digits of 47 in reverse; then add 2 to the result. What number do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "74" }, { "id": "b", "label": "49" }, { "id": "c", "label": "72" }, { "id": "d", "label": "76" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q07", "prompt": "Follow the rule chain for the letter M: move one letter forward in the alphabet; if the result comes after P, move two letters back; otherwise move one more forward. Which letter do you reach?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "O" }, { "id": "b", "label": "N" }, { "id": "c", "label": "L" }, { "id": "d", "label": "P" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q08", "prompt": "Carry out these steps: take the word STONE; swap the first two letters; read the result. Which of these do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "SOTNE" }, { "id": "b", "label": "TSONE" }, { "id": "c", "label": "STONE" }, { "id": "d", "label": "ETONS" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q09", "prompt": "Hold all three conditions, then judge: a number qualifies if it is greater than 10, even, and not a multiple of 6. Which of these qualifies: 14, 12, 9, 18?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "12" }, { "id": "b", "label": "18" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9" }, { "id": "d", "label": "14" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s05-q10", "prompt": "Follow every step: start with 3; multiply by 4; subtract 5; multiply the result by itself. What is the final number?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "49" }, { "id": "b", "label": "36" }, { "id": "c", "label": "64" }, { "id": "d", "label": "44" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06", "title": "Holding under interference", "instructions": "Study something, do a small unrelated mental task, then recall. The distraction is deliberate.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s06-q01", "studyText": "Remember this word, then continue: HARBOUR.", "prompt": "First, solve 6 + 7 in your head. Now, which word were you asked to remember?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Harbour" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Harvest" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Arbour" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Harbinger" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q02", "studyText": "Remember this number, then continue: 58.", "prompt": "Count backwards from 10 to 1 in your head. What number were you asked to remember?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "85" }, { "id": "b", "label": "58" }, { "id": "c", "label": "48" }, { "id": "d", "label": "68" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q03", "studyText": "Remember these two words, then continue: CANDLE, ORANGE.", "prompt": "Mentally spell your own first name, then answer: which pair matches what you studied?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Candle and Orchid" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Kindle and Orange" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Candle and Orange" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Candle and Amber" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q04", "studyText": "Remember this sequence, then continue: 4, 9, 1.", "prompt": "First decide mentally whether 17 is odd or even; then recall, what was the middle number of the studied sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "4" }, { "id": "b", "label": "1" }, { "id": "c", "label": "17" }, { "id": "d", "label": "9" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q05", "prompt": "Hold the letters K and T in mind. Count the words in the phrase 'the quick silver fox' (there are four). Now: which of the held letters comes later in the alphabet?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "K" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Q" }, { "id": "c", "label": "T" }, { "id": "d", "label": "They are equal" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q06", "studyText": "Remember this shopping item and quantity, then continue: 3 lemons.", "prompt": "Mentally add 14 + 9; then recall what you studied. Which was it?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "3 lemons" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4 lemons" }, { "id": "c", "label": "3 melons" }, { "id": "d", "label": "2 lemons" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q07", "studyText": "Remember these three digits in order, then continue: 7, 2, 5.", "prompt": "First judge which is larger: 48 or 51. Now, from memory, what was the studied sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "7, 5, 2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "7, 2, 5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "2, 7, 5" }, { "id": "d", "label": "7, 2, 6" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q08", "studyText": "Remember this phrase, then continue: GREEN DOOR.", "prompt": "Mentally count the sides of a hexagon; then recall the phrase you studied.", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Green Floor" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Grey Door" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Green Down" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Green Door" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q09", "studyText": "Remember these two numbers, then continue: 34 and 81.", "prompt": "First work out 5 × 6 in your head; then answer, what is the sum of the two numbers you studied?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "105" }, { "id": "b", "label": "115" }, { "id": "c", "label": "125" }, { "id": "d", "label": "47" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s06-q10", "studyText": "Remember this seat allocation, then continue: Row F, Seat 12.", "prompt": "Mentally name the month that follows October; now recall, which seat allocation did you study?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Row F, Seat 12" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Row E, Seat 12" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Row F, Seat 21" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Row G, Seat 11" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07", "title": "Dual tasks: hold and compute", "instructions": "Keep several values in mind and calculate with them at the same time.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s07-q01", "prompt": "Hold these prices in mind: tea = £2, scone = £3, juice = £4. What is the total cost of one tea and two scones?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "£7" }, { "id": "b", "label": "£9" }, { "id": "c", "label": "£8" }, { "id": "d", "label": "£10" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q02", "prompt": "Remember the code pairs: X = 5, Y = 8, Z = 2. What is (X × Z) + Y?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "18" }, { "id": "b", "label": "15" }, { "id": "c", "label": "20" }, { "id": "d", "label": "16" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q03", "prompt": "Hold this in mind: the red box weighs 4 kg, the blue box weighs 7 kg, the green box weighs 5 kg. Which two boxes together weigh exactly 9 kg?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Red and blue" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Red and green" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Blue and green" }, { "id": "d", "label": "No pair weighs 9 kg" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q04", "studyText": "Study these values, then continue: north = 6, south = 1, east = 9.", "prompt": "From memory, what is north + east − south?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "16" }, { "id": "b", "label": "15" }, { "id": "c", "label": "13" }, { "id": "d", "label": "14" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q05", "prompt": "Hold the sequence 5 - 3 - 8 in mind while you double each digit. What is the doubled sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "10, 6, 16" }, { "id": "b", "label": "10, 8, 16" }, { "id": "c", "label": "8, 6, 16" }, { "id": "d", "label": "10, 6, 14" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q06", "prompt": "Remember: Anna scored 12, Ben scored 9, Chloe scored 15. Who scored closest to 11?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Ben" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Chloe" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Anna" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Anna and Ben are equally close" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q07", "prompt": "Hold these three times in mind: bus at 09:20, train at 09:45, tram at 09:35. Which departs second?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Bus" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Tram" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Train" }, { "id": "d", "label": "They depart together" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q08", "studyText": "Study this stock note, then continue: shelf A holds 14 tins, shelf B holds 8 tins.", "prompt": "From memory, how many tins must move from shelf A to shelf B for the two shelves to hold equal numbers?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "3" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q09", "prompt": "Keep the number 27 in mind. Now compute 6 × 4. Is the held number larger, smaller, or equal to the result, and by how much?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Larger by 3" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Smaller by 3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "They are equal" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Larger by 4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s07-q10", "prompt": "Hold these exchange values: 1 token = 3 stars; 1 star = 2 coins. How many coins is 2 tokens worth?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "6" }, { "id": "b", "label": "10" }, { "id": "c", "label": "8" }, { "id": "d", "label": "12" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08", "title": "Substitutions and rule mapping", "instructions": "Memorise a small code or rule, then apply it to new material without writing anything down.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s08-q01", "prompt": "Use this code: star = 4, moon = 7. What is star + moon + star?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "11" }, { "id": "b", "label": "15" }, { "id": "c", "label": "18" }, { "id": "d", "label": "14" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q02", "prompt": "Apply the rule 'swap every A with O' to the word ALARM. What results?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "OLORM" }, { "id": "b", "label": "OLARM" }, { "id": "c", "label": "ALORM" }, { "id": "d", "label": "ORLOM" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q03", "prompt": "Hold this mapping: 1 = D, 2 = B, 3 = F. Decode the sequence 3 - 1 - 2.", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "F, B, D" }, { "id": "b", "label": "D, F, B" }, { "id": "c", "label": "F, D, B" }, { "id": "d", "label": "B, D, F" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q04", "prompt": "Apply the rule 'shift each letter one place forward in the alphabet' to the word BEE. What do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "CFF" }, { "id": "b", "label": "BFF" }, { "id": "c", "label": "CEE" }, { "id": "d", "label": "DGG" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q05", "prompt": "Use the code: triangle means add 10, square means subtract 4. Starting from 6, apply: triangle, square, triangle. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "20" }, { "id": "b", "label": "24" }, { "id": "c", "label": "18" }, { "id": "d", "label": "22" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q06", "prompt": "Hold this mapping: cat becomes dog, dog becomes bird, bird becomes cat. Apply the mapping twice, starting from 'cat'. What do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Cat" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Dog" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Bird" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Fish" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q07", "prompt": "Substitute digits for letters using A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4. What is the value of the word CAB added up?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "6" }, { "id": "b", "label": "7" }, { "id": "c", "label": "5" }, { "id": "d", "label": "8" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q08", "prompt": "Apply this rule to the sequence 2, 5, 8: replace each even number with E and each odd number with O. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "O, E, O" }, { "id": "b", "label": "E, O, E" }, { "id": "c", "label": "E, E, O" }, { "id": "d", "label": "O, O, E" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q09", "prompt": "Hold both rules: rule one doubles a number; rule two adds 3. Apply rule one, then rule two, then rule one again, starting from 4. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "19" }, { "id": "b", "label": "25" }, { "id": "c", "label": "22" }, { "id": "d", "label": "16" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s08-q10", "prompt": "Use the cipher 'each letter of the coded message maps back to the previous letter of the alphabet' to decode the message HBUF. What word appears?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "FETE" }, { "id": "b", "label": "HAVE" }, { "id": "c", "label": "GAZE" }, { "id": "d", "label": "GATE" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09", "title": "Tracking several things at once", "instructions": "Follow two or more changing quantities, positions, or states through a short scenario.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s09-q01", "prompt": "Two jars start empty. You add 3 marbles to jar A, 2 to jar B, then move 1 marble from A to B. How many marbles are in jar B now?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "5" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q02", "prompt": "Track three runners. Amir starts 1st, Beth 2nd, Cara 3rd. Beth overtakes Amir; then Cara overtakes Amir. Who is now 2nd?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Amir" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Beth" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Nobody: the order is unchanged" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Cara" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q03", "prompt": "A scoreboard starts at Home 0, Away 0. Home scores twice, Away scores once, Home scores once more, Away scores twice. What is the final score?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Home 3, Away 3" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Home 3, Away 2" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Home 2, Away 3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Home 4, Away 2" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q04", "studyText": "Study these starting values, then continue: kettle = 5, toaster = 2.", "prompt": "From memory, add 3 to the kettle value and double the toaster value. What are the new values?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Kettle 7, toaster 4" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Kettle 8, toaster 4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Kettle 8, toaster 5" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Kettle 6, toaster 4" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q05", "prompt": "Follow the swaps. Cups start in order: red, blue, green (left to right). Swap the left and middle cups; then swap the middle and right cups. What is the order now, left to right?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Blue, green, red" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Green, blue, red" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Red, green, blue" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Blue, red, green" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q06", "prompt": "Keep two tallies while reading: count words starting with S, and words ending with T. List: SALT, STAR, NET, SOFT, MAP. What are the two tallies?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "3 and 2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "2 and 3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "3 and 3" }, { "id": "d", "label": "4 and 2" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q07", "prompt": "A library cart has 10 books. At the first stop, 4 are removed and 2 added. At the second stop, half the books are removed. How many books remain?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "5" }, { "id": "b", "label": "4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "3" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q08", "prompt": "Track the letter and the number together. Start with C3. Each step moves the letter one forward in the alphabet and the number one up: step once, then twice more. What do you reach?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "E5" }, { "id": "b", "label": "F7" }, { "id": "c", "label": "G6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "F6" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q09", "prompt": "Three switches are all off. You flip switch 1, flip switch 2, flip switch 1 again, then flip switch 3. Which switches end up on?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Switches 1 and 2" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Switches 2 and 3" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Switch 2 only" }, { "id": "d", "label": "All three" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s09-q10", "prompt": "Update two accounts in your head. Account P starts with £40, account Q with £25. Transfer £10 from P to Q, then Q pays £15 out. Which account now holds more, and how much does it hold?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Q, with £35" }, { "id": "b", "label": "P, with £40" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Q, with £20" }, { "id": "d", "label": "P, with £30" } ] } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10", "title": "Layered hold-and-transform challenges", "instructions": "The hardest set: combine studied material, multiple rules, and several transformations in one item.", "items": [ { "id": "working-memory-s10-q01", "studyText": "Study this rule set, then continue: start = 9; rule X doubles the number; rule Y subtracts 4; apply the rules in the order X, Y, X.", "prompt": "From memory, what is the final number?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "24" }, { "id": "b", "label": "28" }, { "id": "c", "label": "32" }, { "id": "d", "label": "26" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q02", "prompt": "Hold everything in your head: four parcels weigh 2 kg, 5 kg, 3 kg, and 6 kg, in that order. Swap the middle two weights, then add the first and third weights of the new order. What is the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "8" }, { "id": "b", "label": "5" }, { "id": "c", "label": "7" }, { "id": "d", "label": "9" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q03", "prompt": "Work entirely in your head: reverse the digits of 316, then subtract the smallest digit of the original number from the result. What number do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "612" }, { "id": "b", "label": "613" }, { "id": "c", "label": "610" }, { "id": "d", "label": "615" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q04", "prompt": "Follow the full chain: start with the word PLANET; remove the last letter; reverse what remains. What is the second letter of the result?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "E" }, { "id": "b", "label": "A" }, { "id": "c", "label": "L" }, { "id": "d", "label": "N" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q05", "studyText": "Study this table, then continue: Monday = 4 deliveries, Tuesday = 7, Wednesday = 5, Thursday = 1.", "prompt": "From memory, which two days together total exactly 9 deliveries?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Tuesday and Thursday" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Monday and Tuesday" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Monday and Wednesday" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Wednesday and Thursday" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q06", "prompt": "Hold three rules at once and apply them to the number 8: if it is even, add 5; if the result is odd, double it; if the final result is greater than 20, subtract 1. What do you get?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "26" }, { "id": "b", "label": "21" }, { "id": "c", "label": "24" }, { "id": "d", "label": "25" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q07", "prompt": "Keep the sequence 9 - 2 - 6 - 4 in mind. Replace each digit with the difference between it and 10, keeping the order. What is the new sequence?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "1, 8, 4, 6" }, { "id": "b", "label": "1, 8, 6, 4" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9, 8, 4, 6" }, { "id": "d", "label": "1, 2, 4, 6" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q08", "studyText": "Study these seat swaps, then continue: Aisha, Ben, Kofi, and Lena sit in seats 1 to 4 in that order; then Aisha and Kofi swap seats; then Ben and Lena swap seats.", "prompt": "From memory, who ends up in seat 2?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "Ben" }, { "id": "b", "label": "Aisha" }, { "id": "c", "label": "Kofi" }, { "id": "d", "label": "Lena" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q09", "prompt": "Do the whole calculation mentally, holding intermediate results: (the number of days in a week × 3) minus (the number of sides of a square × 2). What is the answer?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "12" }, { "id": "b", "label": "14" }, { "id": "c", "label": "13" }, { "id": "d", "label": "15" } ] }, { "id": "working-memory-s10-q10", "prompt": "The hardest hold: memorise the mapping red = 2, blue = 5, green = 7 as you read. A bag holds one red token, one blue token, and one green token. Halve the total value, then add the value of one red token. What is the final number?", "choices": [ { "id": "a", "label": "10" }, { "id": "b", "label": "8" }, { "id": "c", "label": "9" }, { "id": "d", "label": "11" } ] } ] } ] }, "authoredHints": { "title": "Authored hints", "policy": "This cognitive practice source does not publish authored hints. Every item is listed as missing a hint, and no hint text is generated or inferred.", "items": [], "missingItemIds": [ "working-memory-s01-q01", "working-memory-s01-q02", "working-memory-s01-q03", "working-memory-s01-q04", "working-memory-s01-q05", "working-memory-s01-q06", "working-memory-s01-q07", "working-memory-s01-q08", "working-memory-s01-q09", "working-memory-s01-q10", "working-memory-s02-q01", "working-memory-s02-q02", "working-memory-s02-q03", "working-memory-s02-q04", "working-memory-s02-q05", "working-memory-s02-q06", "working-memory-s02-q07", "working-memory-s02-q08", "working-memory-s02-q09", "working-memory-s02-q10", "working-memory-s03-q01", "working-memory-s03-q02", "working-memory-s03-q03", "working-memory-s03-q04", "working-memory-s03-q05", "working-memory-s03-q06", "working-memory-s03-q07", "working-memory-s03-q08", "working-memory-s03-q09", "working-memory-s03-q10", "working-memory-s04-q01", "working-memory-s04-q02", "working-memory-s04-q03", "working-memory-s04-q04", "working-memory-s04-q05", "working-memory-s04-q06", "working-memory-s04-q07", "working-memory-s04-q08", "working-memory-s04-q09", "working-memory-s04-q10", "working-memory-s05-q01", "working-memory-s05-q02", "working-memory-s05-q03", "working-memory-s05-q04", "working-memory-s05-q05", "working-memory-s05-q06", "working-memory-s05-q07", "working-memory-s05-q08", "working-memory-s05-q09", "working-memory-s05-q10", "working-memory-s06-q01", "working-memory-s06-q02", "working-memory-s06-q03", "working-memory-s06-q04", "working-memory-s06-q05", "working-memory-s06-q06", "working-memory-s06-q07", "working-memory-s06-q08", "working-memory-s06-q09", "working-memory-s06-q10", "working-memory-s07-q01", "working-memory-s07-q02", "working-memory-s07-q03", "working-memory-s07-q04", "working-memory-s07-q05", "working-memory-s07-q06", "working-memory-s07-q07", "working-memory-s07-q08", "working-memory-s07-q09", "working-memory-s07-q10", "working-memory-s08-q01", "working-memory-s08-q02", "working-memory-s08-q03", "working-memory-s08-q04", "working-memory-s08-q05", "working-memory-s08-q06", "working-memory-s08-q07", "working-memory-s08-q08", "working-memory-s08-q09", "working-memory-s08-q10", "working-memory-s09-q01", "working-memory-s09-q02", "working-memory-s09-q03", "working-memory-s09-q04", "working-memory-s09-q05", "working-memory-s09-q06", "working-memory-s09-q07", "working-memory-s09-q08", "working-memory-s09-q09", "working-memory-s09-q10", "working-memory-s10-q01", "working-memory-s10-q02", "working-memory-s10-q03", "working-memory-s10-q04", "working-memory-s10-q05", "working-memory-s10-q06", "working-memory-s10-q07", "working-memory-s10-q08", "working-memory-s10-q09", "working-memory-s10-q10" ] }, "answerKey": { "title": "Answer key", "items": [ { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q01", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "17" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q02", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "P" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q03", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Umbrella" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q04", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "9" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q05", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "5" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q06", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "2" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q07", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "15" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q08", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "River" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q09", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "B" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q10", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "2" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q01", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "8" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q02", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Brick" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q03", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "S" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "Carpet" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q05", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "9" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q06", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "Callum" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q07", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "The second door on the right" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q08", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q09", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Olive" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q10", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "9" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q01", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "1" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q02", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "A" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q03", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "3 then 5" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "4" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q05", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "6, 1, 8, 5" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q06", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "X" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q07", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "7" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "4" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q09", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "TNIM" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q10", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "10" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q01", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "10" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q02", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "5" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q03", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "6" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q04", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "PART" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q05", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "4" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q06", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "7" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q07", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "A = 4, B = 2" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "29" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q09", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "F" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q10", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "11" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q01", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "15" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q02", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "RAINS" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q03", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "7" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "East" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q05", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q06", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "76" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q07", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "O" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q08", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "TSONE" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q09", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "14" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q10", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "49" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q01", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "Harbour" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q02", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "58" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q03", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "Candle and Orange" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "9" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q05", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "T" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q06", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "3 lemons" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q07", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "7, 2, 5" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "Green Door" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q09", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "115" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q10", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "Row F, Seat 12" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q01", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "£8" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q02", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "18" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q03", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Red and green" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "14" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q05", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "10, 6, 16" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q06", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "Anna" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q07", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Tram" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q09", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "Larger by 3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q10", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "12" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q01", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "15" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q02", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "OLORM" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q03", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "F, D, B" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q04", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "CFF" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q05", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "22" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q06", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "Bird" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q07", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "6" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q08", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "E, O, E" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q09", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "22" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q10", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "GATE" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q01", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q02", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "Cara" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q03", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "Home 3, Away 3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q04", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Kettle 8, toaster 4" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q05", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "Blue, green, red" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q06", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "3 and 3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q07", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "4" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "F6" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q09", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "Switches 2 and 3" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q10", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "P, with £30" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q01", "correctChoiceId": "b", "correctChoiceLabel": "28" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q02", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "7" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q03", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "612" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q04", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "N" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q05", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "Monday and Wednesday" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q06", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "25" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q07", "correctChoiceId": "a", "correctChoiceLabel": "1, 8, 4, 6" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q08", "correctChoiceId": "d", "correctChoiceLabel": "Lena" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q09", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "13" }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q10", "correctChoiceId": "c", "correctChoiceLabel": "9" } ] }, "workedExplanations": { "title": "Worked explanations", "items": [ { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q01", "explanation": "First digit 8 + last digit 9 = 17." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q02", "explanation": "With 5 letters, the middle (3rd) position holds P." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q03", "explanation": "Basket and Candle each have 6 letters; Umbrella has 8." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q04", "explanation": "Reading backward: 1 (1st), 5 (2nd), 9 (3rd)." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q05", "explanation": "apple (3) + cherry (2) = 5." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q06", "explanation": "Circle appears twice: 1st and 3rd positions." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q07", "explanation": "Add as you go rather than at the end: 5 + 2 = 7, then 7 + 8 = 15. Keeping a running total lightens the memory load." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q08", "explanation": "Rehearsing the list once in order (lamp, river, stone) fixes the positions: River sat in the second slot." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q09", "explanation": "Replaying the sequence in order (T, F, B, X) shows B follows straight after F." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s01-q10", "explanation": "Tally each colour as it passes: green appears in the 2nd and 4th positions, so twice." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q01", "explanation": "The sequence was 7, 1, 8, 4, counting along it puts 8 in the third position. Grouping digits into pairs (71, 84) makes short sequences easier to hold." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q02", "explanation": "The list ended with BRICK. The last item in a studied list is often the freshest in memory, a pattern called the recency effect." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q03", "explanation": "The order was G, M, S, K, V, so the third letter was S. Middle items are the hardest to recall, which makes them worth an extra rehearsal while studying." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q04", "explanation": "The studied list was spoon, ladder, candle, marble, ribbon, carpet never appeared. Checking each option against your mental list one at a time avoids false recognition." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q05", "explanation": "The sequence 3, 9, 9, 2, 6 repeats only the 9, in the second and third positions. Noticing a repeat while studying gives you a strong anchor for later recall." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q06", "explanation": "The order was Priya, Callum, Nadia, Tomas. Callum came directly before Nadia. Replaying the list as a spoken rhythm helps preserve neighbouring pairs." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q07", "explanation": "The instruction specified the second door on the right. Turning directions into a quick mental walk-through makes them far easier to retain than the words alone." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q08", "explanation": "The sequence mixed Q, R, and Z with the digits 4 and 7, three letters in total. Sorting items into categories while studying is itself a working-memory exercise." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q09", "explanation": "Counting along violet, amber, teal, coral, olive, slate places olive fifth. With six items, chunking into two groups of three keeps the positions straight." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s02-q10", "explanation": "The sequence ended ... 1, 9, 3, so the second-to-last number was 9. Seven digits sits near the limit of most people's span: chunking (62, 75, 193) helps." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q01", "explanation": "Reversing 4 - 1 - 7 gives 7 - 1 - 4. A useful shortcut: reversing any sequence leaves the middle element exactly where it was, so it is still 1." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q02", "explanation": "The first letter of a reversed sequence is simply the last letter of the original. Here that is A, with no need to reverse the whole thing." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q03", "explanation": "Reading 2 - 8 - 5 - 3 from the end gives 3, 5, 8, 2, so the first two digits backwards are 3 then 5. Working from the tail end is easier if you rehearse the sequence once forwards first." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q04", "explanation": "Reversed, the sequence reads 7, 2, 6, 4, 9, putting 4 in the fourth position. Equivalently, the fourth-from-the-front of the reversed list is the fourth-from-the-back of the original." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q05", "explanation": "The studied sequence 5, 8, 1, 6 reversed is 6, 1, 8, 5. Doing this from memory combines storage and manipulation: the core of working memory." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q06", "explanation": "Swapping the ends of L - D - Q - J - X moves X to the front and L to the back, so the sequence now starts with X." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q07", "explanation": "Sorted, the digits run 2, 3, 7, 9. The third is 7. Re-sorting held material is harder than reversing because every element changes position." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q08", "explanation": "Moving the 6 to the end gives 1, 8, 4, 5, 6, whose middle (third) digit is 4. Visualising the digits sliding one place left makes the shift concrete." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q09", "explanation": "Reversing the order gives OAK, MINT, PEAR, so the middle word is still MINT, and spelt backwards it reads TNIM. Handling two transformations in a row is a genuine two-step hold." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s03-q10", "explanation": "The reversed sequence starts 4, 6, and 4 + 6 = 10. Notice you only ever needed the last two digits of the original, spotting shortcuts reduces the load." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q01", "explanation": "Update after every step: 5 + 3 = 8, 8 − 2 = 6, 6 + 4 = 10. Discard each old value as you go, only the current total needs holding." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q02", "explanation": "Apple has a and e (2), kiwi has i and i (2), plum has u (1). A running tally reaches 5." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q03", "explanation": "Track the floor after each move: 3 up to 7, down to 5, up to 6. Picturing the lift moving makes each update easier to hold than raw arithmetic." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q04", "explanation": "Only the first letter changes: C becomes P while A-R-T stay put, giving PART. Editing one element of a held word is a small but genuine act of updating." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q05", "explanation": "The evens are 4, 2, 6, and 8, a tally that ticks up to 4. Saying the count in your head at each hit stops it slipping while you scan the next number." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q06", "explanation": "Step by step: 20 halved is 10, plus 6 is 16, minus 9 is 7." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q07", "explanation": "LEFT appears four times and RIGHT twice, so A finishes on 4 and B on 2. Running two counters at once is what makes this harder than a single tally." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q08", "explanation": "Count down in steps: 50 to 43, to 36, to 29. Alternatively, 3 × 7 = 21 subtracted in one go gives the same 29, but the step-by-step version is the memory workout." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q09", "explanation": "Follow each hop: B forward two is D, back one is C, forward three is F. Saying each intermediate letter aloud in your head keeps the chain intact." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s04-q10", "explanation": "Update the stock after every movement: 12 − 5 = 7, 7 + 8 = 15, 15 − 6 = 9, 9 + 2 = 11. Four updates in a row is where unrehearsed totals start to slip." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q01", "explanation": "Doubling 6 gives 12, and DOG has 3 letters, so 12 + 3 = 15. The trick is holding the intermediate 12 while you count the letters." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q02", "explanation": "TRAIN loses its T to become RAIN, then gains an S at the end to become RAINS. Applying edits one at a time, in order, prevents the steps blurring together." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q03", "explanation": "9 is odd, so add 5 to reach 14; 14 is even, so halve it to reach 7. Check each condition against the current value, not the starting one." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q04", "explanation": "North, right turn to east, right again to south, then a left turn from south faces you east. Imagining yourself physically rotating keeps each turn anchored." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q05", "explanation": "TABLE, DESK, and SHELF each contain an E; CHAIR and LAMP do not, so the count is 3. Holding the rule steady while scanning is the real work here." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q06", "explanation": "47 reversed is 74, and 74 + 2 = 76. A common slip is adding 2 before reversing. The order of steps matters." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q07", "explanation": "M moves forward to N. N does not come after P, so the otherwise-branch applies: one more forward lands on O. Conditional steps demand you test before you move." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q08", "explanation": "Swapping the S and T of STONE gives TSONE, with the remaining letters O-N-E untouched. Focus the swap on exactly the two named positions." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q09", "explanation": "14 is over 10, even, and not divisible by 6, so it passes all three tests. 12 and 18 fail the multiple-of-6 condition, and 9 is odd, checking every candidate against every held condition is the exercise." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s05-q10", "explanation": "3 × 4 = 12, then 12 − 5 = 7, then 7 × 7 = 49. The final squaring only works if the 7 was held accurately through the earlier steps." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q01", "explanation": "The studied word was HARBOUR. Doing arithmetic in between creates interference: attaching a quick image (boats in a harbour) protects the word against it." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q02", "explanation": "The studied number was 58. Counting backwards floods the same verbal rehearsal loop the number lives in, which is exactly why distractor tasks make digits slip." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q03", "explanation": "The studied pair was CANDLE and ORANGE. The near-miss alternatives share sounds or meanings with the originals. Precise recall beats gist here." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q04", "explanation": "The sequence was 4, 9, 1, so the middle number was 9. Note how easily the 17 from the distractor task tries to intrude on recall, recognising intrusions is part of the skill." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q05", "explanation": "Of the held letters, T comes later in the alphabet than K. The counting task in between forces you to protect the letters while attention is elsewhere." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q06", "explanation": "The studied note was 3 lemons. Binding the number to the item as a single picture, three lemons in a row, keeps quantity and object from drifting apart." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q07", "explanation": "The studied order was 7, 2, 5. Order errors, recalling the right digits in the wrong sequence, are the most common failure once a distractor intervenes." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q08", "explanation": "The studied phrase was GREEN DOOR. Visualising an actual green door makes the pairing far more robust than rehearsing the two words separately." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q09", "explanation": "34 + 81 = 115. This item stacks interference and computation: the studied numbers must survive the multiplication before you can even start adding them." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s06-q10", "explanation": "The studied allocation was Row F, Seat 12. The wrong options transpose or nudge one detail each. Exactly the errors interference tends to produce with letter-number pairs." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q01", "explanation": "One tea (£2) plus two scones (2 × £3 = £6) totals £8. The juice price is a deliberate extra load. Part of the skill is holding values you end up not needing." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q02", "explanation": "Substitute first, then compute: (5 × 2) + 8 = 10 + 8 = 18. Translating each symbol before starting the arithmetic keeps the two jobs from colliding." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q03", "explanation": "Red (4 kg) plus green (5 kg) makes exactly 9 kg; the other pairs give 11 kg and 12 kg. Testing pairs systematically stops you re-checking combinations you have already ruled out." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q04", "explanation": "From the studied values, 6 + 9 − 1 = 14. The recall and the arithmetic are separate steps: retrieve all three numbers first, then compute." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q05", "explanation": "Doubling each of 5, 3, 8 in turn gives 10, 6, 16. The challenge is keeping the already-transformed digits fixed while you work on the next one." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q06", "explanation": "The distances from 11 are: Anna 1, Ben 2, Chloe 4, so Anna is closest. Converting each held score into a distance is the manipulation step." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q07", "explanation": "Mentally re-ordering the times gives 09:20, 09:35, 09:45. The tram's 09:35 departure is second. The list arrives unsorted on purpose." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q08", "explanation": "The 22 tins split equally as 11 each, so shelf A must pass 3 of its 14 across. Equivalently, move half the difference: (14 − 8) ÷ 2 = 3." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q09", "explanation": "6 × 4 = 24, and the held 27 exceeds it by 3. The held number must survive the multiplication intact before the comparison can happen." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s07-q10", "explanation": "Chain the conversions: 2 tokens = 6 stars, and 6 stars = 12 coins. Two-step unit chains require holding the middle quantity just long enough to convert it again." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q01", "explanation": "Substituting gives 4 + 7 + 4 = 15. Reading the symbols as their numbers in one smooth pass is quicker than translating each one separately." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q02", "explanation": "ALARM contains two As, in the first and third positions, and replacing both gives OLORM. Scanning for every occurrence, not just the first, is the point of the rule." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q03", "explanation": "Applying the mapping digit by digit, 3 becomes F, 1 becomes D, and 2 becomes B, so the decoded sequence is F, D, B, keeping the original order." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q04", "explanation": "Each letter moves forward once: B becomes C and each E becomes F, giving CFF. Apply the shift uniformly: every letter, exactly one place." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q05", "explanation": "Follow the symbols in order: 6 + 10 = 16, 16 − 4 = 12, 12 + 10 = 22. You are holding both the code and a running total at once. A genuine dual load." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q06", "explanation": "One application turns cat into dog; applying the mapping again turns dog into bird. Chained substitutions require re-consulting the held rule at every step." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q07", "explanation": "C is 3, A is 1, and B is 2, so CAB totals 3 + 1 + 2 = 6. Decoding and summing in a single left-to-right pass keeps the load manageable." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q08", "explanation": "2 is even (E), 5 is odd (O), and 8 is even (E), so the sequence becomes E, O, E. Judging each number afresh against the rule avoids drifting into alternation on autopilot." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q09", "explanation": "The chain runs 4 doubled to 8, plus 3 to 11, doubled again to 22. Keeping two named rules and a running value alive together is the heart of rule-based working memory." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s08-q10", "explanation": "Stepping each coded letter back one place turns H into G, B into A, U into T, and F into E, spelling GATE. Decoding letter by letter while holding the partial answer is the exercise." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q01", "explanation": "Jar B receives 2 marbles, then 1 more from jar A, finishing on 3. A transfer changes both jars at once: update the two totals together." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q02", "explanation": "After Beth passes Amir the order is Beth, Amir, Cara; when Cara then passes Amir it becomes Beth, Cara, Amir. Re-stating the full order after every overtake prevents position slips." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q03", "explanation": "Home scores 2 + 1 = 3 goals and Away scores 1 + 2 = 3, so the match ends level at three each. Keeping two independent tallies is the load here." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q04", "explanation": "The kettle becomes 5 + 3 = 8 and the toaster becomes 2 × 2 = 4. Each value gets a different operation, so pairing the right rule with the right item is half the task." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q05", "explanation": "The first swap gives blue, red, green; the second swaps the middle and right cups to give blue, green, red. Visualising actual cups sliding makes each swap easier to hold than the colour names alone." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q06", "explanation": "SALT, STAR, and SOFT start with S (three words); SALT, NET, and SOFT end with T (three words). Note that SALT and SOFT legitimately count towards both tallies." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q07", "explanation": "After the first stop the cart holds 10 − 4 + 2 = 8 books; halving at the second stop leaves 4. The halving must apply to the updated total, not the starting one." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q08", "explanation": "Three steps in total move C3 to D4, then E5, then F6. Letter and number must advance in lockstep: updating one and forgetting the other is the classic error." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q09", "explanation": "Switch 1 is flipped twice, returning it to off, while switches 2 and 3 are each flipped once and stay on. An even number of flips always cancels out." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s09-q10", "explanation": "The transfer leaves P with £30 and lifts Q to £35; Q's £15 payment then drops it to £20, so P holds more with £30. The transfer touches both balances: the payment only one." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q01", "explanation": "From the studied rules: 9 doubled is 18, minus 4 is 14, doubled again is 28. Everything (start value, both rules, and their order) had to be recalled before computing." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q02", "explanation": "Swapping the middle two gives 2, 3, 5, 6, and the first plus third of that new order is 2 + 5 = 7. The reordering must fully settle before the addition starts." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q03", "explanation": "316 reversed is 613, and the smallest digit of the original (1) brings it to 612. Both the reversed number and a fact about the original must be held simultaneously." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q04", "explanation": "PLANET without its last letter is PLANE, which reversed reads ENALP, and its second letter is N. Each transformation output becomes the next step's input." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q05", "explanation": "Monday's 4 plus Wednesday's 5 makes exactly 9; the other pairings give 8, 11, and 6. Four recalled values must all stay available while you test combinations." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q06", "explanation": "8 is even so it becomes 13; 13 is odd so it doubles to 26; 26 exceeds 20 so it drops to 25. Each condition tests the current value, so the chain must be walked strictly in order." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q07", "explanation": "Taking each digit from 10 gives 10 − 9 = 1, 10 − 2 = 8, 10 − 6 = 4, and 10 − 4 = 6, so the sequence becomes 1, 8, 4, 6. Transformed digits must not contaminate the ones still waiting." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q08", "explanation": "After the first swap the seats hold Kofi, Ben, Aisha, Lena; the second swap exchanges Ben and Lena, leaving Lena in seat 2. Re-listing all four seats after each swap keeps the state accurate." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q09", "explanation": "7 days × 3 = 21 and 4 sides × 2 = 8, so 21 − 8 = 13. Retrieving the everyday facts, computing both parts, and holding the first result through the second is the full layered load." }, { "itemId": "working-memory-s10-q10", "explanation": "The tokens total 2 + 5 + 7 = 14; halved that is 7, and adding the red token's value of 2 gives 9. The colour mapping must survive right to the final step, because red is needed again at the end." } ] } }