The concept of 'environmental carrying capacity' refers to the maximum population size of a species that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources. In human contexts, this notion is complicated by technological innovation, which can temporarily raise carrying capacity by increasing resource efficiency. However, such expansions often lead to unintended consequences, such as habitat degradation or resource depletion, which may ultimately lower the long-term capacity. Critics argue that relying solely on technological fixes ignores the ethical dimensions of consumption and distribution, suggesting that sustainable management requires not only scientific insight but also policy reforms addressing social equity. Thus, carrying capacity is not a fixed biological limit but a dynamic threshold shaped by both ecological constraints and human choices.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key limitation of using technological innovation to raise environmental carrying capacity?
A. A) It permanently eliminates all resource constraints.
B. B) It may cause ecological damage that reduces future capacity.
C. C) It is too expensive for most societies to implement.
D. D) It ignores the role of scientific research in sustainability.
✅ 正确答案
B) It may cause ecological damage that reduces future capacity.
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