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 aim to manage cognitive load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hampered when the intrinsic load (complexity of the material) and extraneous load (how the material is presented) exceed the learner's available working memory capacity. For instance, a poorly designed diagram with irrelevant labels can increase extraneous load, thereby reducing the capacity for schema construction. Conversely, well-structured materials that integrate related information can help learners allocate more resources to germane load, which directly contributes to learning. Recent studies suggest that adaptive multimedia, which tailors content presentation based on real-time learner performance, can significantly reduce extraneous load and enhance comprehension, especially for novices in complex domains.
❓ Согласно тексту, какова основная выгода хорошо структурированных учебных материалов?
A. Они увеличивают внутреннюю нагрузку материала.
B. Они снижают постороннюю нагрузку, позволяя выделить больше ресурсов на релевантную нагрузку.
C. Они устраняют необходимость в рабочей памяти при обучении.
D. Они всегда увеличивают общую когнитивную нагрузку на учащегося.
✅ 正确答案
They reduce extraneous load, allowing more resources for germane load.
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