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 Sweller's cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic load (complexity of the material) and extraneous load (how the material is presented) exceed the learner's capacity. However, germane load, which involves the construction of schemas, is considered beneficial. Recent studies suggest that reducing extraneous load, such as by eliminating redundant information, can free up mental resources for deeper processing. Yet, some researchers argue that a certain level of desirable difficulty, which increases cognitive load, can enhance long-term retention. Thus, the relationship between cognitive load and learning outcomes is not linear but context-dependent.
❓ 文章によると、認知負荷が学習に有益か有害かを決定する主な要因は何ですか？
A. 学習されている教材の種類
B. 作業記憶において使用される精神的努力の量
C. コンテキストと負荷の管理方法
D. 望ましい困難の存在
✅ 正确答案
The context and how the load is managed
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