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Sometimes during a quiz, we know that we know the answer to a question even though we can’t bring it immediately to mind. How?

Here’s an example. Question one: what is the capital of France? I immediately know that the answer is Paris. Question two: what is the capital of ? I immediately know that I do not know the answer. Question three: what is the capital of Portugal? I know that I have the answer in my brain, but I can’t quite remember it. Then, as the answer is read out I agree that it is Lisbon.

In some cases, for hours afterwards I know that I know the answer to something but can’t recall it. So how is it that I can know that I know the answer to a question but, despite that, still cannot retrieve that piece of information?

Alan Rae, London, UK