The concept of 'environmental carrying capacity' has long been central to ecological theory, yet its application to human societies remains contentious. Unlike natural ecosystems, where population growth is typically regulated by resource availability and predation, human communities can temporarily exceed their carrying capacity through technological innovation and trade. However, such overshoot often leads to resource depletion and environmental degradation, which may ultimately undermine the very systems that support the population. Recent studies suggest that sustainable development requires not only technological advances but also fundamental shifts in consumption patterns and social organization. This perspective challenges the optimistic assumption that human ingenuity alone can indefinitely postpone ecological limits, emphasizing instead the need for proactive management of natural resources within planetary boundaries.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 환경적 한계를 해결하기 위해 기술 혁신에만 전적으로 의존할 때의 주요 한계는 무엇인가?
A. A. 이는 종종 자연 생태계에서 포식 활동이 증가하는 결과를 초래합니다.
B. B. 일시적인 초과를 초래할 수 있지만 장기적인 자원 고갈을 막지는 못한다.
C. C. 인간 인구를 지원하는 데 있어 무역보다 덜 효과적이다.
D. D. 이는 소비 패턴의 변화 필요성을 제거한다.
✅ 正确答案
B. It may cause temporary overshoot but fails to prevent long-term resource depletion.
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