The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, it is often divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is associated with the inherent difficulty of the material itself, which cannot be altered by instructional design. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to learners, and can be minimized through effective teaching strategies. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and constructing schemas, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that when extraneous load is high, learners have fewer mental resources available for germane processing, thereby hindering deeper understanding. Therefore, instructional designers aim to reduce extraneous load to free up cognitive capacity for meaningful learning.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary reason for minimizing extraneous load in instructional design?
A. To increase the inherent difficulty of the material
B. To allow more mental resources for germane processing
C. To eliminate the need for working memory
D. To reduce the intrinsic load of the subject matter
✅ 正确答案
To allow more mental resources for germane processing
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first