The concept of 'planned obsolescence' has been a subject of intense debate among economists and environmentalists. Originally introduced in the 1920s to stimulate consumer demand, it involves designing products with a limited useful life, encouraging repeat purchases. While proponents argue that this strategy drives innovation and economic growth, critics contend that it leads to resource depletion and excessive waste. Recent studies suggest that a shift towards 'circular economy' models, where products are designed for durability and reparability, could mitigate these negative effects. However, implementing such models requires significant changes in manufacturing practices and consumer behavior, posing challenges for industries reliant on high turnover rates.
❓ 計画的陳腐化の批判者たちが提起する主な懸念は何ですか？
A. A) それは新製品に対する消費者の需要を減少させる。
B. B) 資源の浪費を通じて環境被害を引き起こす。
C. C) それは製造業における技術革新を妨げる。
D. D) それは企業の生産コストを増加させる。
✅ 正确答案
B) It causes environmental damage through resource waste.
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