The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional designers often strive to manage cognitive load to enhance learning efficiency. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hampered when the total load exceeds the learner's working memory capacity. This can occur when the material itself is complex (intrinsic load) or when the presentation is poorly designed, creating unnecessary mental processing (extraneous load). Conversely, germane load refers to the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Recent studies suggest that by reducing extraneous load through clear, concise instructional formats, educators can free up cognitive resources for germane processing, thereby improving knowledge acquisition and retention.
❓ Согласно тексту, какова основная выгода от снижения посторонней нагрузки в обучении?
A. A. Это увеличивает внутреннюю сложность материала.
B. B. Это позволяет высвободить больше умственных ресурсов для полезных процессов обучения.
C. C. Это напрямую снижает объём рабочей памяти.
D. D. Это устраняет необходимость в теории когнитивной нагрузки.
✅ 正确答案
B. It allows more mental resources for beneficial learning processes.
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