Final answer:
The word that has the same meaning as 'took place' is 'occurred', as it directly refers to an event that has happened, which is important when discussing human memory and its tendency to fade over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that has the same meaning as the verbal phrase "took place" is occurred. This is because occurred refers to something that has happened or come into existence, which aligns with the concept of an event taking place. Words like transpired, ensued, and materialized also have similar meanings, but in the context of the question, occurred is the most straightforward synonym for 'took place'. When we discuss events and experiences that we remember, like a music festival or reading a book for class, the quality and intensity of these memories can diminish over time, a phenomenon known as transience. This fading of memories is a natural part of how the human memory works, with certain details or the vividness of the memory fading more quickly than the fact that the event occurred.