The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, it is often divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is associated with the inherent difficulty of the material itself, which cannot be altered by instructional design. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to the learner, such as confusing diagrams or unnecessary text, and can be minimized through better design. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that effective instructional strategies aim to reduce extraneous load while optimizing germane load, thereby facilitating deeper learning without overwhelming the learner's cognitive capacity.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿qué tipo de carga cognitiva se considera beneficiosa para el aprendizaje?
A. Carga intrínseca
B. Carga extrínseca
C. Carga pertinente
D. Todos los tipos por igual
✅ 正确答案
Germane load
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