The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that climate and topography directly shape human behavior, leading to cultural differences. However, modern scholars reject this simplistic causality, noting that technological advancements and globalization have diminished the influence of physical environment. Instead, they propose 'possibilism', which suggests that environment offers opportunities but human agency determines outcomes. A recent study in arid regions demonstrated that communities with similar ecological constraints developed divergent social structures due to historical trade routes and political systems. This illustrates that while environmental factors are significant, they are not deterministic. Understanding this interplay is crucial for policy-making, particularly in addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable societies, as overemphasizing environmental influence could lead to fatalistic responses rather than adaptive strategies.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main critique of environmental determinism by modern scholars?
A. It ignores the role of climate in shaping cultures.
B. It fails to account for human agency and technological factors.
C. It overstates the impact of trade routes on social structures.
D. It lacks empirical evidence from arid regions.
✅ 正确答案
It fails to account for human agency and technological factors.
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