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 (CLT) suggests that learning is most effective when instructional materials are designed to minimize extraneous cognitive load, thereby freeing resources for the intrinsic load necessary to understand complex material. However, recent research challenges the universality of CLT, proposing that the optimal level of cognitive load may vary depending on the learner's prior knowledge and the nature of the task. For instance, high prior-knowledge learners might benefit from more complex tasks that increase germane load, while novices require simplified formats to avoid overload. This nuanced view underscores the importance of adaptive instructional design.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 인지 부하의 최적 수준에 영향을 미치는 핵심 요인은 무엇인가?
A. 학습자의 사전 지식과 과업의 성격
B. 학습에 소요된 총 시간
C. 교실의 물리적 환경
D. 반에 있는 학생 수
✅ 正确答案
The learner's prior knowledge and task nature
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