The concept of 'ecological footprint' has gained prominence as a metric for assessing human impact on the environment. It quantifies the amount of biologically productive land and water area required to support a given population's consumption of resources and absorption of waste, given prevailing technology. While this tool effectively highlights disparities in resource use between developed and developing nations, critics argue that it oversimplifies complex environmental interdependencies. For instance, it often fails to account for the full lifecycle impacts of certain products or the substitutability of natural capital. Nevertheless, the footprint remains a powerful communicative device, translating abstract environmental pressures into tangible spatial terms that resonate with policymakers and the public alike, thereby fostering more informed discussions on sustainability.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es una limitación principal de la métrica de la huella ecológica?
A. No mide la absorción de desechos.
B. Ignora las diferencias entre países ricos y pobres.
C. Simplifica en exceso las complejas relaciones ambientales.
D. Es demasiado técnico para que el público lo entienda.
✅ 正确答案
It oversimplifies complex environmental relationships.
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