Exercise #1: Semantic Fluency

This is an exercise that trains "semantic fluency".  

Kind of a fancy name that doesn't help laypeople understand what it is.

The other name for "semantic fluency" is "category fluency", meaning naming words that fit within a specific category of things, such as fruit or vegetables. 

Now, this is easier to understand.

This exercise trains a very basic, but essential exercise of verbal fluency, which is being able freely and quickly access your mental vocabulary within a particular category.  

So, the first time you do this exercise, speak as many names of fruits as you can in sixty seconds.  Use the video timers I included earlier in this program.

Here's an example of this exercise:

  • Strawberries

  • Bananas

  • Honeydew melon

  • Kiwi

  • Carrots X

  • Orange


In the above list, carrots is a "rule breaking answer" and is incorrect.  Carrots is rule breaking because it is a vegetable and not a fruit.


Now, repeat this exercise with two other categories of your choice, for a total of three sets.

Some examples of categories you can use are: food, drink, animals, tools, supermarket items, professions, etc.

Keep in mind that with this exercise and any other exercise that involves the naming of words in categories, you will want to choose categories that are broad enough to allow you to come up with at least 15-20 words minimum (for further context, please see the section named "Commentary").

Make sure you exclude any rule-breaking (ex. carrots) or repeated responses when the total tally of correct answers is made.

The reason why repeated responses are not optimal is that people with strong semantic fluency can keep track of what answers they have already given.