The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, cognitive load theory, first proposed by John Sweller in the 1980s, suggests that learning is most effective when instructional designs align with human cognitive architecture. The theory distinguishes between intrinsic load, which is inherent to the complexity of the material, and extraneous load, which is generated by the way information is presented. Intrinsic load cannot be altered without changing the subject matter itself, whereas extraneous load can be reduced through better instructional design. Germane load, a third type, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which contributes directly to learning. Research has shown that when extraneous load is minimized, learners have more working memory capacity available for germane processing, leading to improved comprehension and retention. However, overly simplified presentations may also reduce germane load by failing to encourage deep processing, indicating that an optimal balance is necessary.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál de las siguientes afirmaciones refleja mejor la relación entre la carga extrínseca y el aprendizaje?
A. A. Reducir la carga extraña siempre aumenta la carga pertinente, mejorando así el aprendizaje.
B. B. La carga extrínseca está fijada por la complejidad del material y no puede modificarse.
C. C. Minimizar la carga extrínseca puede liberar memoria de trabajo, pero los diseños excesivamente simples pueden obstaculizar el aprendizaje.
D. D. La carga germana es el único factor que afecta los resultados de aprendizaje en el diseño instruccional.
✅ 正确答案
C. Minimizing extraneous load can free up working memory, but overly simple designs may hinder learning.
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