The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, it is often divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is associated with the inherent difficulty of the material itself, which cannot be altered by instruction. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to learners, and can be reduced through better instructional design. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which directly contributes to learning. Research suggests that effective teaching should aim to minimize extraneous load while optimizing germane load, thereby allowing learners to allocate more cognitive resources to meaningful learning. However, over-simplifying content may reduce intrinsic load to a level that undermines the depth of understanding required for complex problem-solving.
❓ According to the passage, which of the following is true about intrinsic load?
A. A. It can be reduced by improving instructional design.
B. B. It is determined by the complexity of the subject matter.
C. C. It is the mental effort used to process new information.
D. D. It should be minimized to enhance learning outcomes.
✅ 正确答案
B. It is determined by the complexity of the subject matter.
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