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 unnecessary cognitive burden. This is often achieved by reducing extraneous load, which is the load imposed by the way information is presented, rather than by the complexity of the content itself. For instance, a poorly designed diagram that requires the learner to search for corresponding labels can increase extraneous load, thereby hindering comprehension. Conversely, integrated formats that combine text and visuals spatially can facilitate learning by reducing split-attention effects. However, intrinsic load, which is inherent to the difficulty of the subject matter, cannot be altered by instructional design. Therefore, effective teaching strategies must balance these types of load to optimize learning outcomes.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál de las siguientes opciones describe mejor la carga extrínseca?
A. A. La dificultad inherente de la materia que no puede ser cambiada.
B. B. El esfuerzo mental causado por la forma en que se presenta la información.
C. C. La cantidad total de esfuerzo mental utilizado en la memoria de trabajo.
D. D. La carga que siempre es beneficiosa para el aprendizaje.
✅ 正确答案
B. The mental effort caused by the way information is presented.
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