The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, reducing extraneous cognitive load is crucial for effective learning. Extraneous load is caused by the way information is presented to learners, such as confusing diagrams or unnecessary text. When this load is high, learners have fewer resources available for the essential processing of new material. Research suggests that instructional design can minimize extraneous load by using clear, integrated formats that align with how the human brain processes information. For instance, presenting related visual and verbal information simultaneously, rather than separately, can reduce the split-attention effect. This approach allows learners to allocate more cognitive resources to deeper understanding, thereby enhancing long-term retention and problem-solving ability.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el beneficio principal de reducir la carga cognitiva extraña en el aprendizaje?
A. Aumenta la capacidad total de la memoria de trabajo.
B. Permite a los estudiantes concentrarse más en comprender el material.
C. Elimina la necesidad de ayudas visuales en la instrucción.
D. Acelera la presentación de nueva información.
✅ 正确答案
It enables learners to focus more on understanding the material.
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