The concept of ecosystem services has gained significant traction in environmental policy over the past two decades. These services, which include provisioning resources like food and water, regulating processes such as climate and flood control, and cultural benefits like recreation, are essential for human well-being. However, their economic valuation remains contentious. Critics argue that assigning monetary values to nature can lead to its commodification, potentially undermining intrinsic conservation ethics. Proponents counter that valuation is a pragmatic tool, enabling policymakers to compare environmental costs and benefits with other economic priorities. A recent study in the Journal of Environmental Management suggests that while monetary valuation can highlight the hidden costs of habitat destruction, it often fails to capture non-material values, such as spiritual or aesthetic significance. Consequently, the authors advocate for a hybrid approach that integrates quantitative valuation with qualitative assessments, ensuring that decisions respect both ecological integrity and socio-cultural contexts.
❓ ¿Cuál es el argumento principal del estudio mencionado en el pasaje?
A. La valoración monetaria de los servicios ecosistémicos debería abandonarse por completo.
B. Es necesario un enfoque combinado que utilice tanto métodos monetarios como cualitativos.
C. La valoración económica es la forma más efectiva de proteger los ecosistemas.
D. Los beneficios culturales de la naturaleza son más importantes que los servicios de aprovisionamiento.
✅ 正确答案
A combined approach using both monetary and qualitative methods is necessary.
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