Recent studies in cognitive psychology have challenged the traditional view that multitasking enhances productivity. Researchers found that when individuals attempt to perform two complex tasks simultaneously, their brains rapidly switch between the tasks rather than processing them in parallel. This switching incurs a cognitive cost, known as 'task-set reconfiguration,' which leads to slower reaction times and increased error rates. Moreover, frequent multitasking has been linked to reduced working memory capacity and diminished ability to filter out irrelevant information. While some argue that certain individuals, termed 'supertaskers,' are immune to these deficits, the majority of the population experiences significant performance degradation. These findings suggest that in academic and professional settings, focusing on single tasks sequentially may yield higher quality outcomes than attempting to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 멀티태스킹이 생산성을 저하시키는 주된 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A) 뇌는 작업을 병렬로 처리하여 과도한 자극을 초래한다.
B. B) 작업 간 전환은 인지적 조정을 필요로 하여 수행 속도를 늦춘다.
C. C) 멀티태스킹은 작업 기억 용량을 증가시켜 혼란을 초래한다.
D. D) 슈퍼태스커들은 멀티태스킹을 효과적으로 할 수 있는 유일한 사람들이다.
✅ 正确答案
B) Switching between tasks requires a cognitive adjustment that slows performance.
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