Recent studies in cognitive psychology have challenged the traditional view that multitasking enhances productivity. Researchers found that when individuals attempt to perform two tasks simultaneously, their brains rapidly switch attention between tasks rather than processing them in parallel. This switching incurs a cognitive cost, often referred to as 'task-switching penalty,' which reduces overall efficiency and increases error rates. Moreover, habitual multitaskers tend to perform worse on tests of sustained attention compared to those who focus on one task at a time. These findings suggest that the human brain is not optimized for concurrent processing, and that what is often perceived as multitasking is actually rapid sequential attention shifts. Consequently, in academic and professional settings, prioritizing single-tasking may lead to higher quality outcomes and better time management.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, lý do chính khiến việc đa nhiệm làm giảm hiệu quả là gì?
A. A. Bộ não xử lý nhiều nhiệm vụ cùng lúc, dẫn đến quá tải.
B. B. Não bộ chuyển đổi sự chú ý một cách nhanh chóng, gây ra một chi phí nhận thức.
C. C. Những người làm nhiều việc cùng lúc thiếu các kỹ năng cần thiết để duy trì sự tập trung lâu dài.
D. D. Môi trường học thuật không khuyến khích việc đa nhiệm, gây ra căng thẳng.
✅ 正确答案
B. The brain switches attention rapidly, incurring a cognitive penalty.
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)
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