What part of the mind holds memories and knowledge that can be accessed when prompted?

The preconscious mind is the part of the mind that holds memories and knowledge that are not currently in the conscious awareness but can be readily accessed when needed. This component functions as a bridge between the unconscious mind, which contains memories that are not easily accessible, and the conscious mind, which encompasses thoughts and feelings that are actively being processed.

When prompted—such as through a cue or a question—information stored in the preconscious can be brought to the forefront of consciousness. This means that we can retrieve facts, memories, and learned information without having to exert much effort, as they are just below the surface of immediate awareness.

This is why the choice correctly identifies the preconscious as the part of the mind involved in this specific memory retrieval process.