The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational contexts, reducing extraneous cognitive load is crucial for effective learning. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to learners, rather than by the inherent complexity of the material itself. For instance, a poorly designed diagram that requires excessive searching for labels can increase extraneous load, thereby hindering the acquisition of schema. Conversely, instructional designs that integrate visual and verbal information spatially and temporally can reduce this unnecessary burden, allowing learners to allocate more cognitive resources to the essential processing of the subject matter. This principle, derived from cognitive load theory, has significant implications for the creation of multimedia learning materials, suggesting that the manner of presentation is as important as the content itself.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary cause of extraneous cognitive load?
A. A. The inherent difficulty of the subject material
B. B. The way information is presented to the learner
C. C. The learner's prior knowledge and experience
D. D. The total amount of information to be memorized
✅ 正确答案
B. The way information is presented to the learner
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