The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design aims to manage this load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic complexity of the material, combined with the way it is presented, exceeds the learner's cognitive capacity. Extraneous cognitive load, which arises from poorly designed instruction, can be reduced by using clear diagrams and eliminating redundant information. However, germane load, which is devoted to processing and understanding the underlying structure, is beneficial and should be encouraged. Research suggests that when learners are presented with worked examples initially, rather than problem-solving tasks, they experience lower cognitive load and demonstrate better transfer of knowledge to novel situations. This finding has significant implications for curriculum development, particularly in fields like mathematics and science, where abstract concepts impose high intrinsic load.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 학습에서 작업 예시를 사용할 때의 주요 효과는 무엇인가?
A. A) 그들은 더 많은 정보를 추가함으로써 내재적 인지 부하를 증가시킨다.
B. B) 그들은 불필요한 인지 부하를 줄이고 지식 전이를 향상시킵니다.
C. C) 그들은 학습자에게 적합한 인지 부하의 필요성을 제거한다.
D. D) 그들은 초보자에게 문제 해결 과제를 더 어렵게 만든다.
✅ 正确答案
B) They reduce extraneous cognitive load and improve knowledge transfer.
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