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.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la principal limitación de depender de la innovación tecnológica y el comercio para aumentar la capacidad de carga ambiental?
A. A. Conduce a aumentos permanentes en la población que no pueden revertirse.
B. B. Crea dependencias que pueden provocar el colapso social si se ven interrumpidas.
C. C. Solo es efectiva en sociedades con un gobierno central fuerte.
D. D. Reduce la vulnerabilidad ante desastres relacionados con el clima.
✅ 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