The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design aims to manage this load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic complexity of the material, combined with the way it is presented, exceeds the learner's available working memory capacity. Extraneous cognitive load, which is caused by poor instructional design, can be reduced by simplifying the presentation, while germane load, which contributes to learning, should be encouraged. Research has shown that using worked examples and eliminating redundant information can significantly improve learning outcomes, especially for novices in a domain. However, as expertise increases, the benefits of such scaffolding diminish, suggesting that instructional support should be tailored to the learner's level of knowledge.
❓ 本文によると、初心者の学習成果を向上させる重要な要素は何か？
A. 材料の本質的な複雑性を高めること
B. 作業例を用い、冗長な情報を減らすこと
C. 無関係な認知的負荷を促すこと
D. 全ての学習者に対して同じレベルの指導的支援を提供すること
✅ 正确答案
Using worked examples and reducing redundant information
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