The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, cognitive load theory suggests that learning is most effective when instructional materials are designed to minimize extraneous cognitive load, thereby freeing resources for the intrinsic processing essential to understanding complex subjects. Intrinsic load is determined by the difficulty of the material itself, whereas extraneous load is influenced by how the information is presented. For instance, a poorly designed diagram may force learners to split their attention between disparate sources of information, increasing extraneous load and hindering comprehension. Conversely, integrating related text and visuals can reduce this unnecessary burden. Research indicates that overly complex tasks, if not scaffolded appropriately, can overwhelm learners, leading to decreased performance. Thus, educators must carefully structure content to manage cognitive demands, particularly in STEM fields where abstract concepts are prevalent.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary factor that determines intrinsic cognitive load?
A. The way instructional materials are presented
B. The inherent difficulty of the subject matter
C. The amount of prior knowledge a learner possesses
D. The use of diagrams and visual aids
✅ 正确答案
The inherent difficulty of the subject matter
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