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 processing necessary to understand complex material. However, recent research has challenged the assumption that reducing cognitive load always enhances learning. For instance, a study by Kalyuga et al. found that for learners with high prior knowledge, presenting information in a simplified manner can actually impede performance, a phenomenon known as the 'expertise reversal effect.' This indicates that the optimal level of instructional guidance depends on the learner's level of expertise, suggesting a more nuanced approach to instructional design.
❓ 文章によると、専門知識逆転効果の主な含意は何ですか？
A. A. 認知的負荷を減らすことは常に学習成果を向上させる。
B. B. 指導設計は学習者の既存知識を考慮すべきである。
C. C. 簡略化された教材は、すべての学習者にとって最も効果的である。
D. D. 外的認知負荷は学習に影響を与える唯一の要因である。
✅ 正确答案
B. Instructional design should consider the learner's prior knowledge.
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