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.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 전문성 역전 효과의 주요 함의는 무엇인가?
A. A. 인지 부하를 줄이는 것은 항상 학습 성과를 향상시킨다.
B. B. 교수 설계는 학습자의 사전 지식을 고려해야 한다.
C. C. 단순화된 자료는 모든 학습자에게 가장 효과적이다.
D. D. 외재적 인지 부하는 학습에 영향을 미치는 유일한 요소이다.
✅ 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