The concept of 'ecological footprint' has become a central tool in sustainability studies, quantifying the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems by human activities. It measures the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated, given prevailing technology and resource management. While this metric offers a clear, intuitive snapshot of environmental impact, it has faced criticism for oversimplifying complex interdependencies. For instance, it treats all land as equally productive and fails to account for the social or economic dimensions of resource use. Nevertheless, its proponents argue that the footprint serves as a vital wake-up call, highlighting the disparity between current consumption patterns and planetary limits, thereby prompting policy discussions on sustainable development.
❓ According to the passage, which of the following is a limitation of the ecological footprint concept?
A. It does not consider the waste generated by human activities.
B. It assumes that all land has the same level of productivity.
C. It focuses only on social and economic aspects of resource use.
D. It overestimates the area of biologically productive water.
✅ 正确答案
It assumes that all land has the same level of productivity.
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