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 reduce extraneous cognitive load, allowing learners to focus on intrinsic load and germane load. Intrinsic load is the inherent difficulty of the material itself, which cannot be altered, while germane load is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the information. Researchers have found that poorly designed presentations, such as those with redundant text and graphics, can increase extraneous load, hindering comprehension. Conversely, integrating visual and verbal information in a coherent manner can facilitate schema construction. This theory has significant implications for curriculum design, especially in complex subjects like science and mathematics, where managing cognitive resources is crucial for student success.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main purpose of reducing extraneous cognitive load?
A. A. To increase the intrinsic difficulty of the material
B. B. To allow learners to concentrate on processing and understanding the content
C. C. To eliminate all forms of mental effort during learning
D. D. To encourage learners to use more working memory capacity
✅ 正确答案
B. To allow learners to concentrate on processing and understanding the content
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