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.
❓ 계획적 노후화에 대한 비판자들이 제기하는 주요 우려는 무엇인가?
A. A) 그것은 소비자들의 신제품 수요를 감소시킨다.
B. B) 자원 낭비를 통해 환경 피해를 초래한다.
C. C) 이는 제조업의 기술 혁신을 저해한다.
D. D) 그것은 기업들의 생산 비용을 증가시킨다.
✅ 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