The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional designers often aim to manage cognitive load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hampered when the working memory is overloaded with extraneous information that does not contribute to schema construction. However, intrinsic load, which is the inherent difficulty of the material, cannot be reduced without simplifying the content. A well-designed instructional material should minimize extraneous load while preserving the necessary complexity of the subject matter. Recent studies suggest that the use of multimedia can either enhance or hinder learning, depending on how the visual and auditory channels are integrated, thereby influencing the overall cognitive load experienced by learners.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál de las siguientes afirmaciones es VERDADERA sobre la carga cognitiva en el aprendizaje?
A. La carga extrínseca debe aumentarse para desafiar a los aprendices.
B. La carga intrínseca puede reducirse fácilmente cambiando el formato de presentación.
C. Los multimedia siempre reducen la carga cognitiva y mejoran el aprendizaje.
D. La instrucción efectiva debe reducir la carga superflua mientras mantiene la dificultad necesaria.
✅ 正确答案
Effective instruction should reduce extraneous load while maintaining necessary difficulty.
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