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 complexity of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented. Germane load, however, is the effort devoted to processing and constructing schemas, which is considered beneficial for learning. Research suggests that effective instructional design should minimize extraneous load to free up cognitive resources for germane load, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. This is particularly critical in complex subjects such as mathematics or science, where poorly designed materials can overwhelm learners and impede their ability to integrate new knowledge.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el objetivo principal del diseño instruccional efectivo?
A. A. Eliminar todos los tipos de carga cognitiva para hacer que el aprendizaje sea sin esfuerzo.
B. B. Para aumentar la carga intrínseca y desafiar más profundamente a los estudiantes.
C. C. Para reducir la carga extrínseca de modo que se pueda dedicar más esfuerzo mental a la construcción de esquemas.
D. D. Centrarse únicamente en presentar la información de manera visualmente atractiva.
✅ 正确答案
C. To reduce extraneous load so that more mental effort can be used for schema construction.
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