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 suggests that learning is most effective when instructional designs align with human cognitive architecture. Intrinsic load is the inherent difficulty of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented. Poorly designed materials can increase extraneous load, hindering learning. Conversely, reducing extraneous load through clear structure and examples allows learners to allocate more resources to schema construction. However, researchers debate whether managing intrinsic load through simplifying tasks may compromise deep understanding, especially for complex subjects requiring nuanced problem-solving.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es un posible inconveniente de simplificar tareas para gestionar la carga intrínseca?
A. A. Puede aumentar la carga extrínseca en los aprendices.
B. B. Podría reducir la profundidad de comprensión de temas complejos.
C. C. Hace que el material sea demasiado difícil para la memoria de trabajo.
D. D. Impide la construcción de cualquier esquema cognitivo.
✅ 正确答案
B. It could reduce the depth of understanding for complex subjects.
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