The concept of 'digital twins' has garnered significant attention in urban planning, referring to virtual replicas of physical cities that integrate real-time data from sensors, infrastructure, and citizen behavior. These dynamic models allow planners to simulate scenarios such as traffic congestion, energy consumption, or flood responses before implementing costly changes in the real world. However, critics argue that reliance on digital twins may exacerbate existing inequalities, as data collection often prioritizes affluent areas with better sensor coverage, while marginalized communities remain underrepresented. Furthermore, the predictive accuracy of these models hinges on the quality and bias of the underlying algorithms, which can perpetuate flawed assumptions. Proponents counter that with transparent governance and inclusive data strategies, digital twins could democratize planning by enabling community feedback and iterative testing. Ultimately, the efficacy of such tools depends not merely on technological sophistication but on the ethical frameworks guiding their deployment.
❓ 비판자들이 도시 계획에서 디지털 트윈에 대해 제기하는 주요 우려는 무엇인가?
A. A. 대부분의 지방자치단체가 효과적으로 시행하기에는 너무 비싸다.
B. B. 불균등한 데이터 수집과 알고리즘 편향으로 인해 사회적 격차를 강화할 수 있다.
C. C. 그들은 홍수나 지진과 같은 자연재해를 정확히 예측할 수 없다.
D. D. 그들은 물리적 인프라와 인간의 의사 결정 필요성을 줄인다.
✅ 正确答案
B. They may reinforce social disparities due to uneven data collection and algorithmic bias.
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