The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design often aims to manage this load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hampered when the working memory is overwhelmed by extraneous information that does not contribute to schema construction. Conversely, intrinsic load, which is inherent to the complexity of the material, must be carefully sequenced to avoid overload. Researchers have proposed various strategies, such as the use of worked examples and the elimination of redundant information, to reduce extraneous load. However, recent studies suggest that the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on the learner's prior knowledge, indicating a more nuanced interaction between instructional design and individual differences.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 외재적 인지 부하를 줄이기 위한 전략의 효과에 영향을 미치는 핵심 요인은 무엇인가?
A. 제공된 작업 예시의 총 개수
B. 학습자의 기존 지식 수준
C. 정보가 제시되는 속도
D. 디지털 자료 대 인쇄 자료의 사용
✅ 正确答案
The learner's existing knowledge level
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