Succeeding in College

Comprehension Quiz for “The New Marshmallow Test”

[Comprehension quiz (auto-scored):]

Read “The New Marshmallow Test” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Then “submit” your work.

1. When students multitask, what tends to happen?

Students have trouble concentrating on exams.

Students learn more broadly and remember details better.

Students do not learn as much or as deeply.

Students are able to get more tasks done in a shorter amount of time.

Correct

Incorrect

2. Why are texting, emailing, and posting on Facebook a problem while studying?

Doing these things in class can get the student into academic trouble.

The apps often crash because campuses do not have good wifi.

These activities compete with homework for the same mental functions.

It is difficult to write good messages when listening to a professor’s lecture.

Correct

Incorrect

3. According to a professor cited by Paul, the brain:

cannot do two complex tasks at the same time

is wired to multitask

reacts negatively to arbitrary external stimuli

is a simple machine, unable to do complex tasks

Correct

Incorrect

4. What are three of the five negative consequences of multitasking by students?

frustration, anxiety, and tension

physical fatigue, poor eyesight, and bad posture

inability to concentrate, write coherently, and edit

mental fatigue, divided attention, and lower grades

Correct

Incorrect

5. What was tested by the marshmallow test?

the ability to delay gratification

the ability to concentrate

the ability to get higher test scores

the ability to digest sugar

Correct

Incorrect

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