REMEMBER THE MILK What it measures: Short-term memory Shopping list: 2 slices veal 1 lb. ham 1 salami 3 oz. gorgonzola 1 lb. rice 1 lb. tomatoes 2 lettuce 3 oz. prunes 2 cups cherries 1 bottle water 1 lb. sugar 4 sandwiches 10 bus tickets 1 box matches 3 white envelopes 1 box cookies 1 bottle dish soap 1 quart milk 2 turkey thighs 1 newspaper Test: Look at the shopping list above. Study it carefully for five minutes, then cover up the list. See how many of the items you can write down - both name and quantity - in five minutes. Score: On average, 60- to 80-year-olds recalled nine items. People 20 to 35 years old averaged 14 items. Good to know: This study found that if people practiced, they could improve their memory. SOURCE: Elena Cavallini and colleagues from the Universita di Pavia in Italy tested 60 individuals for their 2003 study, 'Aging and everyday memory,' which was published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 