The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early theorists like Ellsworth Huntington argued that climate was the primary driver of civilizational development, suggesting that temperate zones fostered innovation while tropical regions lagged. However, this perspective has been heavily criticized for its ethnocentric biases and oversimplification of complex human-environment interactions. Modern scholarship emphasizes 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment sets constraints, human agency and cultural adaptation play pivotal roles in shaping societal outcomes. This shift reflects a broader trend in social sciences toward recognizing the dialectical relationship between nature and culture, where neither is wholly dominant. Understanding this evolution is crucial for contemporary environmental policy, as it warns against deterministic models that may justify inequality or neglect local knowledge.
❓ ¿Cuál es la principal crítica al determinismo ambiental mencionada en el pasaje?
A. Sobrepone el papel de la agencia humana.
B. Ignora la influencia del clima en la sociedad.
C. Es etnocéntrico y simplifica en exceso las interacciones entre el ser humano y el medio ambiente.
D. No tiene en cuenta la importancia de la innovación tecnológica.
✅ 正确答案
It is ethnocentric and oversimplifies human-environment interactions.
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