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 inherent to the difficulty of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which can enhance learning. Research suggests that instructional design should aim to reduce extraneous load, allowing more cognitive resources for germane load, especially when dealing with complex subjects. However, overly simplifying content may lower intrinsic load to a level that undermines deep learning, indicating a delicate balance in curriculum design.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el objetivo principal del diseño instruccional en la gestión de la carga cognitiva?
A. Para eliminar todos los tipos de carga cognitiva y facilitar el aprendizaje.
B. Para aumentar la carga intrínseca en tareas más desafiantes.
C. Para reducir la carga extrínseca de modo que se pueda dedicar más esfuerzo a la comprensión.
D. Para distribuir equitativamente los tres tipos de carga cognitiva
✅ 正确答案
To reduce extraneous load so that more effort can be spent on understanding
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