BBC Learning English - Talking about memory
Episode 260424 / 24 Apr 2026
Welcome to Real Easy English podcast! In this episode, Becca and Georgie have a real conversation in easy English about memory – our ability to remember things from the past. Learn to talk about being forgetful, collecting mementos and reminiscing with friends.
核心词汇 Vocabulary
| Word | English Definition | Chinese Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| memory | general ability to remember things; specific experience you remember from the past | 记忆力；对过去的记忆 | Becca, Georgie |
| forgetful | not good at remembering things | 健忘的，记性不好的 | Becca, Georgie |
| reminisce | talk about happy memories from the past | 回忆往事，怀旧 | Becca, Georgie |
| memento | an object that helps you think of a particular memory, place or event |
1. 核心导读 (Introduction)
在这个 BBC Learning English 的 Real Easy English 播客中，主持人 Becca 和 Georgie 进行了一场关于记忆力的轻松对话。这个播客专为较低水平的英语学习者设计（A2级别），通过真实而简单的英语对话，帮助学习者掌握描述记忆力、谈论健忘以及表达记忆相关概念的实用词汇和短语。
In this BBC Learning English Real Easy English podcast, hosts Becca and Georgie have a conversation about memory. This podcast is designed for lower-level English learners (A2) to help them master practical vocabulary and phrases for describing memory, talking about forgetfulness, and expressing memory-related concepts.
2. 重点词汇释义 (Key Vocabulary)
| 单词/短语 | 释义 (English) | 释义 (Chinese) | 来源 |
|---|---|---|---|
| memory | The ability to remember things; the power of recall | 记忆力；记忆能力 | Podcast transcript |
| forgetful | Tending to forget things; prone to losing track of items or information | 健忘的；容易忘事的 | Podcast transcript |
| ability | The quality or state of being able to do something | 能力；才能 | Podcast transcript |
| depends on | To be determined or influenced by something | 取决于；依赖 | Podcast transcript |
| remember | To consciously think of something from the past | 记得；记住 | Podcast transcript |
| annoying | Causing irritation or frustration | 烦人的；恼人的 | Podcast transcript |
| long-term memory | Memory that stores information for extended periods | 长期记忆 | Podcast discussion |
| short-term memory | Memory that temporarily holds limited information | 短期记忆; 近期记忆 | Podcast discussion |
| in the moment | At the present time; right now | 在当下；当时 | Podcast transcript |
| tips | Pieces of advice or suggestions | 技巧；建议 | Podcast transcript |
| keys | Metal instruments used to unlock doors | 钥匙 | Podcast transcript |
| suitcases | Large bags with handles used for traveling | 行李箱 | Podcast transcript |
| alarm | A device that makes a sound at a set time | 闹钟 | Podcast transcript |
| special place | A designated or particular location | 特定的地方 | Podcast transcript |
| routine /ruːˈtiːn/ | A regular habit or pattern of behavior | 日常习惯；例行程序 | Podcast transcript |
| visualise /ˈvɪʒuəlaɪz/ | To form a mental image of something | 想象；在脑海中形成图像 | Podcast transcript |
| technique /tekˈniːk/ | A method or way of doing something | 技巧；方法 | Podcast transcript |
| silly /ˈsɪli/ | Foolish or playful in a harmless way | 傻的；幼稚的 | Podcast transcript |
| association /əˌsəʊsiˈeɪʃn/ | A connection between things in your mind | 联想；关联 | Podcast transcript |
| bells | Ringing instruments | 铃铛 | Podcast transcript |
| ring | To make a bell sound | （铃铛）响 | Podcast transcript |
| travelling | Going from one place to another | 旅行 | Podcast transcript |
| worked | Functioned successfully; was effective | 奏效；起作用 | Podcast transcript |
| favourite | Most preferred or liked | 最喜欢的 | Podcast transcript |
| trick | A clever technique or method | 诀窍；技巧 | Podcast transcript |
| 纪念品，引起回忆的东西 | Becca, Georgie |
3. 精彩选段与解析 (Transcript Highlights)
[Memory Definition]
“Memory is your ability to remember things.” 解析： Georgie 明确给出了 memory 的定义。这个词既可以指"记忆力"（抽象能力），也可以指"记忆"（具体内容）。She uses it here to mean the general ability to remember.
[Asking about memory quality]
“Do you have a good memory?” 解析： 这是一个非常实用的问题，可以用来询问他人的记忆力好坏。英语中我们说 “have a good memory”（有好的记忆力）或 “have a bad memory”（记忆力差），而不是 “be good at memory”。
[Use of “forgetful” to describe a person]
“I’m a very forgetful person.” 解析： Forgetful 是形容词，用来描述经常忘事的人。Becca 说 “I’m a very forgetful person”（我是个非常健忘的人），这是一个地道的表达方式。
[Long-term vs short-term memory distinction]
“You’ve got a great long-term memory.” / “I’m very short-term memory kind of person.” 解析： 长短期记忆的区分是重要的记忆概念。英语母语者会自然使用这些表达。Short-term memory 指记住近期发生的事情（几秒钟到几天），long-term memory 指记住过去很久的事情。
[Practical advice - special place technique]
“If there’s something you really don’t want to forget, have a special place for it.” 解析： 这是给出的第一个实用建议：为不想忘记的重要物品设置一个"特定的地方"。这也是一个英语中常见的表达：“a special place for something”。
[Using routine to remember]
“If it’s part of my routine, I would definitely remember.” 解析： Routine（日常习惯）是记忆的好帮手。当某件事成为例行公事时，大脑会自动记忆。Remember 在这个语境中意为"记得去做某事"。
[Visualization technique explained]
“You visualise something in your head,” “create a silly story, make an association” 解析： 这是高级记忆技巧：visualise（在脑海中想象）、association（联想）。Becca 建议可以编造一个"silly story"（荒诞的故事）来加强记忆。这些联想记忆法是记忆专家常用的技巧。
[Practical example - keys]
“I put my keys next to my alarm… it sounds like bells ringing.” 解析： 这是一个具体的运用联想法的例子。Keys（钥匙）和 alarm（闹钟）放在一起，因为两者会发出声音（bells ringing - 铃声）。这种声音联想有助于记忆。
4. 学习思考 (Critical Thinking)
-
思考一下你的记忆力特点：你是"短期记忆型"还是"长期记忆型"？你有过像 Becca 一样忘记带午餐的经历吗？（Think about your memory characteristics: Are you a “short-term memory” or “long-term memory” person? Have you had an experience like Becca forgetting to bring lunch?）
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记忆技巧的实际应用：Becca 和 Georgie 讨论了几种记忆方法，如常规化（routine）、特定位置（special place）和联想记忆（visualization）。你觉得哪种方法最适合你？为什么？（Practical application of memory techniques: Becca and Georgie discussed several methods like routine, special place, and visualization. Which technique do you think would work best for you, and why?）
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文化差异中的记忆观念：在中国文化中，我们如何看待"健忘"？是会直接承认还是会用其他方式表达？（Cultural differences in memory concepts: In Chinese culture, how do we view “forgetfulness”? Do we admit it directly or express it differently?）
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心理因素与记忆：Becca 提到"如果是常做的事，即使心不在焉也会自动完成"。你有过这种"自动完成"的经历吗？什么情况下容易发生？（Psychological factors and memory: Becca mentioned “if it’s something I do regularly, I can do it even if I’m not thinking.” Have you had this “autopilot” experience? When does it happen?）
Transcript Highlights
Becca: Hello and welcome to Real Easy English. In this podcast, we have real conversations in easy English to help you learn. I’m Becca.
Georgie: And I’m Georgie. You can find a video version of this podcast with subtitles to help you learn on our website. Go to bbclearningenglish.com.
Becca: Hi Georgie.
Georgie: Hello there.
Becca: How are you doing today?
Georgie: I’m pretty good, thank you. How are you?
Becca: Good. Yeah, I’m also pretty good. But I forgot my lunch today…
Georgie: No!
Becca: …which is a bit annoying. But today we are actually talking about forgetting things and memory, so it’s a good topic…
Georgie: It is!
Georgie: And memory is your ability to remember things. So, Becca, do you have a good memory?
Becca: I usually do. This morning – not so much. Yes, I usually do have an alright memory but it depends on what I’m trying to remember. So, I will remember experiences and people very well, but when it comes to tasks or things that I have to do for myself, I must write them down or I will forget them. I won’t remember them.
Georgie: I’m a very forgetful person. I… Yes, everyone knows me to leave things in the house that I needed to bring or when I… For example, an umbrella – if I take that out, it will get lost 100%. So, I have a terrible memory.
Georgie: I’ve got lots of good memories. I think the best memory I have was when I was about eight years old. I went to a concert. And I went to this concert with my dad, my best friend and her dad, and it was outside – a summer’s day. It was, kind of, sunset time. We were both on our dads’ shoulders, singing, dancing. And she has the exact same memory, so I know that it’s… I know that it’s real. It’s not fake.
Georgie: Yeah, I like to… I like to reminisce and reminisce means that we talk about things from the past, about memories with happiness. And that’s really fun to do, especially with childhood friends.
Georgie: So, we can talk about things from the past. But some people also like to keep things, collect things from the past – mementos. That’s what those are called. Do you like to keep mementos?
Becca: I love to keep mementos.
Georgie: What kinds of things?
Becca: I… So, I started a collection of fridge magnets from my first solo adventure. And so, you know, I get to see those little mementos every day and I’m reminded all of the places that I’ve been. It’s nice to look at these mementos, and then we reminisce.
关键要点 Key Takeaways
- Memory 可以指记忆力（ability），也可以指具体的记忆（experience）
- Forgetful 是形容词，形容记性不好的人
- Reminisce 是动词，指愉快地回忆往事，通常和朋友一起
- Memento 是纪念品，能帮你想起某个特定记忆、地方或事件
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you have a good memory or are you forgetful like Georgie?
- What is your favorite memory from childhood?
- Do you like to reminisce with old friends? What do you usually talk about?
- What kind of mementos do you keep? Why are they important to you?
学习建议 Study Tips
- Worksheet: Download the free worksheet to test your understanding
- Audio: Listen to the podcast multiple times to improve listening comprehension
- Speaking: Practice using the new vocabulary words in your own sentences about memories
- Vocabulary: Create your own sentences using “memory”, “forgetful”, “reminisce”, and “memento”
Full Transcript
Full transcript available in the downloadable PDF
Source: BBC Learning English - Real Easy English
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english/260424
Published: 24 Apr 2026
Level: Easy/Beginner
Duration: Approximately 6-8 minutes