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 cognitive load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, there are three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is inherent to the complexity of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented, which can be minimized through effective design. Germane load, however, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that when extraneous load is reduced, learners have more mental resources available for germane processing, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. Therefore, educators should strive to simplify instructional materials to reduce unnecessary cognitive burden, allowing students to focus on deeper learning.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el principal beneficio de reducir la carga cognitiva extraña?
A. Reduce la complejidad intrínseca del tema.
B. Permite a los estudiantes asignar más recursos mentales al procesamiento pertinente.
C. Elimina la necesidad de memoria de trabajo en el aprendizaje.
D. Aumenta directamente la dificultad del material para un mejor desafío.
✅ 正确答案
It allows learners to allocate more mental resources to germane processing.
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