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 Sweller's 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. For example, a poorly designed diagram that requires excessive visual searching can impose an unnecessary 'extraneous load,' leaving fewer resources for the 'germane load' that facilitates schema construction. Conversely, reducing extraneous load through clear, well-structured presentations can free up cognitive resources, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. However, recent studies suggest that some level of desirable difficulty, such as interleaving different problem types, may actually improve long-term learning despite increasing initial cognitive load, challenging the simplistic notion that lower load is always better.
❓ ¿Cuál es la conclusión principal que extraen los estudios recientes mencionados en el pasaje?
A. A. Reducir la carga extraña siempre conduce a mejores resultados de aprendizaje.
B. B. La teoría de la carga cognitiva ha sido completamente refutada por nuevas evidencias.
C. C. Un aumento moderado de la carga cognitiva puede, en ocasiones, beneficiar el aprendizaje a largo plazo.
D. D. La carga pertinente es más importante que la carga intrínseca en todos los casos.
✅ 正确答案
C. A moderate increase in cognitive load can sometimes benefit long-term learning.
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