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 inherent to the complexity of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to the learner. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort dedicated to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that instructional design should aim to reduce extraneous load and optimize germane load, as the total cognitive capacity is limited. Overloading working memory can hinder the acquisition of new knowledge, especially for novice learners who lack prior schemas to organize information efficiently.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main purpose of instructional design in relation to cognitive load?
A. A. To eliminate all types of cognitive load to maximize learning efficiency.
B. B. To increase intrinsic load to challenge learners and promote deeper understanding.
C. C. To minimize extraneous load while facilitating germane load within limited capacity.
D. D. To focus solely on reducing intrinsic load for novice learners.
✅ 正确答案
C. To minimize extraneous load while facilitating germane load within limited capacity.
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