Question 82·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Psychologist Linda Henkel found that people who took dozens of photos during a museum visit later recalled fewer details about the objects they had photographed than those who simply observed. She concludes that constantly pulling out a camera distracts the mind, so the surest way to strengthen memory of an experience is to skip photography altogether.
Text 2
A follow-up study by researcher Diana Tamir confirmed that indiscriminate picture-taking can impair memory, but it also revealed a benefit: participants who reviewed a small, carefully chosen set of their photos within 24 hours remembered the museum items better than participants who had taken no photos at all. Tamir suggests that photography, when used deliberately and followed by reflection, can reinforce rather than weaken memory.
Based on the texts, how would the researcher in Text 2 most likely respond to Henkel’s recommendation in Text 1?
For cross-text connection questions, first quickly summarize each passage in your own words: what is the author’s main claim or recommendation? Then ask, “How would the second author react to the first—agree, disagree, or partly both?” Pay special attention to contrasts signaled by words like “but,” “however,” and “yet,” because these often show where the second text modifies or challenges the first. Finally, eliminate choices that introduce new ideas (like unfamiliar locations or professional photographers) that are not in either text, and choose the option that accurately reflects both the shared point (e.g., indiscriminate photography can hurt memory) and the key difference (e.g., selective photos plus review can help).
Hints
Clarify each researcher’s recommendation
In Text 1, underline the sentence that starts with “She concludes that…” What specific action does Henkel tell people to take (or avoid) if they want stronger memories?
Compare the ‘no photos’ group to the ‘selected photos’ group
In Text 2, look carefully at the results for people who reviewed a small, carefully chosen set of photos versus people who took no photos. Which group remembered the museum items better?
Think about agreement vs. disagreement
Does Text 2 fully support Henkel’s idea that skipping photography altogether is best, or does it modify that claim? Look for the answer choice that reflects partial agreement about random photo-taking but introduces an important difference about deliberate, reviewed photos.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand Henkel’s main conclusion in Text 1
Focus on the last sentence of Text 1: Henkel concludes that constantly pulling out a camera distracts the mind, so “the surest way to strengthen memory of an experience is to skip photography altogether.”
So her recommendation is very strong and simple: do not take photos if you want to remember better.
Understand what Tamir’s study adds in Text 2
Text 2 first confirms part of Henkel’s idea: “indiscriminate picture-taking can impair memory.” That matches Henkel’s concern about constantly pulling out a camera.
But then it adds something new: participants who reviewed a small, carefully chosen set of their photos within 24 hours “remembered the museum items better than participants who had taken no photos at all.”
So Tamir finds that selective photography + later review can improve memory beyond the “no photos” condition.
Decide how Tamir would respond to Henkel’s recommendation
Henkel says: skip photography altogether for the best memory.
Tamir would:
- Agree partly: random, constant, “indiscriminate” photo-taking can hurt memory.
- Disagree with the blanket rule: her data show that people who take a few deliberate photos and review them later remember better than people who take no photos.
So Tamir would say that Henkel’s advice is too extreme: the “no photos” group is not actually the best possible for memory.
Match that response to the answer choices
Now compare this idea to the options:
- B talks about agreeing that constant photo-taking is the only way to preserve memories—this contradicts Text 2, which says indiscriminate photo-taking can impair memory.
- C limits memory decline to professional photographers—Text 2 never mentions professionals.
- D says memory decline happens only in unfamiliar locations—Text 2 never says this.
Only A says that taking no photos can lead to weaker memories than later reviewing selected photos, which is exactly what Tamir’s study found and how she would challenge Henkel’s “skip photography altogether” recommendation.
Correct answer: A) By suggesting that taking no photos can lead people to remember events less vividly than if they later review selected photos.