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 seek to manage cognitive load to optimize learning. According to Sweller's cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic load (complexity of the material) combined with extraneous load (how the material is presented) exceeds the learner's working memory capacity. However, germane load, which is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, is considered beneficial. Recent studies suggest that by reducing extraneous load through clear formatting and eliminating irrelevant information, educators can free up cognitive resources, allowing learners to engage more deeply with the subject matter. This approach has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and knowledge retention, particularly in complex domains such as mathematics and science.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary benefit of reducing extraneous cognitive load in educational design?
A. A. It increases the intrinsic complexity of the learning material.
B. B. It allows learners to allocate more mental effort to understanding the content.
C. C. It completely eliminates the need for working memory in learning.
D. D. It reduces the total amount of information presented to learners.
✅ 正确答案
B. It allows learners to allocate more mental effort to understanding the content.
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