The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, reducing extraneous cognitive load is crucial for effective learning. Extraneous load is caused by the way information is presented to learners, rather than by the inherent complexity of the material itself. For instance, a poorly designed diagram that requires excessive searching for labels can impose unnecessary load. Conversely, intrinsic load is linked to the difficulty of the subject matter and cannot be altered by instructional design. Therefore, educators often aim to manage cognitive load by simplifying presentations and using worked examples, which allow learners to focus on the essential processes. Research suggests that when extraneous load is minimized, learners have more mental capacity to engage in deeper processing, leading to better retention and transfer of knowledge.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary purpose of reducing extraneous cognitive load in education?
A. To make the subject matter less complex for learners
B. To free up mental resources for deeper learning and understanding
C. To eliminate the need for working memory in learning
D. To increase the amount of information presented in lessons
✅ 正确答案
To free up mental resources for deeper learning and understanding
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