The concept of 'ecological footprint' has gained prominence as a metric for assessing human demand on natural resources. It quantifies the amount of biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources an individual, population, or activity consumes, and to absorb the waste it generates, given prevailing technology and resource management practices. While the footprint provides a useful snapshot of current consumption patterns, critics argue that it oversimplifies complex environmental impacts, neglecting factors such as toxicity of pollutants and biodiversity loss. Furthermore, the metric's static nature fails to account for technological advancements that may alter future resource efficiency. Proponents counter that despite its limitations, the ecological footprint serves as a vital educational tool, fostering awareness and prompting policy discussions on sustainability. Ultimately, its utility lies not in precise measurement but in highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes in consumption habits.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es una crítica principal a la métrica de la huella ecológica?
A. Sobrestima el papel de la tecnología en la eficiencia de los recursos.
B. No logra capturar toda la complejidad del daño ambiental.
C. Está demasiado centrado en la pérdida de biodiversidad.
D. No tiene en cuenta el crecimiento de la población.
✅ 正确答案
It fails to capture the full complexity of environmental damage.
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