The concept of 'environmental carrying capacity' has long been central to ecological studies, yet its application to human societies remains contentious. While traditional models assume a fixed maximum population that an ecosystem can support indefinitely, recent research suggests that technological innovation and trade can temporarily raise this limit. However, such expansions often lead to unforeseen consequences, such as resource depletion in distant regions or increased vulnerability to climate shocks. A study by Smith et al. (2022) demonstrated that historical societies which exceeded their local carrying capacity through imported resources tended to collapse when trade routes were disrupted, whereas those that maintained population levels below the threshold exhibited greater resilience. This implies that sustainable development requires not merely increasing efficiency, but also respecting ecological boundaries, even in an interconnected world.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main limitation of relying on technological innovation and trade to raise environmental carrying capacity?
A. A. It leads to permanent increases in population that cannot be reversed.
B. B. It creates dependencies that may cause societal collapse if disrupted.
C. C. It is only effective in societies with strong central governance.
D. D. It reduces the vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
✅ 正确答案
B. It creates dependencies that may cause societal collapse if disrupted.
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