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 materials are designed to minimize extraneous cognitive load, thereby freeing resources for the intrinsic load associated with the material itself. However, recent studies have challenged the assumption that reducing extraneous load always enhances learning. For instance, some researchers argue that a moderate level of desirable difficulty, such as introducing occasional interruptions or complex problem-solving tasks, can actually promote deeper processing and long-term retention. This perspective emphasizes that the optimal level of cognitive load may vary depending on the learner's prior knowledge and the complexity of the subject matter. Therefore, instructional designers must strike a delicate balance between simplifying content and challenging learners sufficiently to stimulate meaningful engagement.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la idea principal respecto a la carga cognitiva en el diseño instruccional?
A. A. Reducir la carga cognitiva siempre mejora los resultados de aprendizaje.
B. B. La carga cognitiva óptima puede requerir un equilibrio entre simplicidad y desafío.
C. C. La teoría de la carga cognitiva ha sido completamente refutada por investigaciones recientes.
D. D. Los aprendices con conocimiento previo no experimentan carga cognitiva.
✅ 正确答案
B. Optimal cognitive load may require a balance between simplicity and challenge.
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