The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information. In educational psychology, researchers distinguish between intrinsic load, which is inherent to the complexity of the material, and extraneous load, which is generated by the way information is presented. Studies show that when extraneous load is high, learners struggle to allocate working memory to essential tasks, thereby reducing comprehension. Effective instructional design aims to minimize extraneous load through clear structure, visual aids, and the removal of irrelevant details. However, some scholars argue that a moderate level of challenge, known as germane load, is beneficial as it encourages deeper processing and schema construction. Thus, balancing these types of load is critical for optimizing learning outcomes.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 교수 설계에서 외부 부하를 줄이는 주요 목적은 무엇인가?
A. 상급 학습자를 위해 자료의 난이도를 높이기 위해
B. 필수 학습 과정을 위해 작업 기억을 확보하려면
C. 학습 과제에서 모든 형태의 인지 부하를 제거하기 위해
D. 더 나은 참여를 위해 더 복잡한 시각 자료를 도입하기 위해
✅ 正确答案
To free up working memory for essential learning processes
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