The concept of 'sustainable development' has evolved significantly since its introduction in the 1987 Brundtland Report. Initially framed as a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, it has since expanded to encompass social equity and intergenerational justice. Critics argue, however, that the term has become so broad as to be practically meaningless, often co-opted by corporations to justify unsustainable practices under the guise of 'green' initiatives. Proponents counter that its flexibility allows for adaptation across diverse cultural and economic contexts, fostering local solutions to global challenges. Recent scholarship emphasizes the need for measurable indicators to move beyond rhetoric, suggesting that without concrete metrics, sustainable development risks remaining an aspirational ideal rather than a practical framework for policy.
❓ According to the passage, what is a major criticism of the term 'sustainable development'?
A. A. It focuses too much on economic growth at the expense of the environment.
B. B. It has become so vague that it can be used to justify harmful activities.
C. C. It is only applicable in Western cultural contexts.
D. D. It lacks any support from academic scholars.
✅ 正确答案
B. It has become so vague that it can be used to justify harmful activities.
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