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.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 교육 설계에서 불필요한 인지 부하를 줄이는 것의 주요 이점은 무엇인가?
A. A. 이는 학습 자료의 본질적 복잡성을 증가시킨다.
B. B. 학습자가 내용을 이해하는 데 더 많은 인지적 노력을 기울일 수 있게 해준다.
C. C. 학습 과정에서 작업 기억의 필요성을 완전히 제거한다.
D. D. 학습자에게 제시되는 정보의 총량을 줄입니다.
✅ 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