The concept of 'ecological footprint' has gained traction as a metric for assessing human demand on natural resources. It calculates the biologically productive land and sea area required to regenerate the resources a population consumes and to absorb its waste, given prevailing technology and resource management practices. While this measure effectively highlights disparities in consumption patterns between developed and developing nations, critics argue that it oversimplifies complex environmental impacts by conflating different types of land use and ignoring technological advancements that may reduce resource intensity. Nevertheless, proponents contend that the footprint serves as a vital awareness-raising tool, prompting policymakers to consider sustainability thresholds in economic planning.
❓ Согласно тексту, какова основная критика концепции экологического следа?
A. A) Это переоценивает потребление ресурсов развивающимися странами.
B. B) Он не учитывает технологический прогресс, который мог бы снизить потребление ресурсов.
C. C) Он сосредоточен только на землепользовании и игнорирует морские экосистемы.
D. D) Это слишком сложно для понимания и применения политиками.
✅ 正确答案
B) It fails to account for technological progress that could lower resource use.
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