The concept of 'digital twins' has gained significant traction in urban planning, referring to virtual replicas of physical cities that simulate real-time data from sensors, infrastructure, and citizen behavior. Proponents argue that these dynamic models enable predictive governance, allowing authorities to test scenarios such as flood responses or traffic congestion before implementing costly physical changes. However, critics caution that over-reliance on digital twins may exacerbate existing inequalities, as data collection often prioritizes affluent neighborhoods with better sensor coverage, leading to skewed resource allocation. Furthermore, the opacity of algorithmic decision-making raises accountability concerns, particularly when automated systems recommend policies that affect vulnerable populations without transparent justification. While digital twins offer promising tools for efficiency, their deployment must be accompanied by rigorous ethical frameworks and inclusive data practices to avoid reinforcing systemic biases.
❓ 비판자들이 도시 계획에서 디지털 트윈에 대해 제기하는 주요 우려는 무엇인가?
A. A) 그것들은 대부분의 도시가 효과적으로 시행하기에는 너무 비싸다.
B. B) 불균등한 데이터 대표성과 불투명한 알고리즘으로 인해 사회적 격차를 악화시킬 수 있다.
C. C) 그들은 예측 거버넌스를 위한 실시간 데이터를 정확히 시뮬레이션하지 못한다.
D. D) 그들은 정책 테스트에서 경제 발전보다 환경 문제를 우선시한다.
✅ 正确答案
B) They may worsen social disparities due to uneven data representation and opaque algorithms.
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