As Maria rides on the bus and looks out the window, her iconic memory takes in all the as her echoic memory takes in all the . sounds; smells
sights; sounds
sounds; sights
smells; sights

You pay attention in class and enjoy learning. In fact, you find the lectures rather enjoyable, but since everything the professor teaches seems to make complete sense to you while in class, you question the necessity of studying outside of class. You don't study for the first test and are disappointed with your very low grade. Which statement about Ebbinghaus's "forgetting curve" BEST explains your experience?

The steepest decline in retention of information occurs within the first hour.
An initial steep decline in retention of information occurs only if the presented information is confusing.
Short-term memory slowly and gradually fades over the course of time.
Retention of information initially remains high over several days followed by a steep decline after 30 days.