The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography directly shape human behavior and societal development. However, this view was heavily criticized in the 20th century for oversimplifying complex cultural interactions and for its potential to justify colonialism. Modern scholarship instead favors 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment imposes constraints, it does not dictate outcomes; human agency and technological innovation play pivotal roles. This shift reflects a broader trend in social sciences toward recognizing the interplay between natural conditions and human choices, rather than attributing causality to a single factor.
❓ 環境決定論から可能論への転換の主な理由は何ですか？
A. A. 気候が人間社会に影響を及ぼさないという発見。
B. B. 環境要因だけでは社会の複雑性を説明できないという認識。
C. C. 文化に対するあらゆる環境的影響の排斥。
D. D. 環境的制約を排除した技術的進歩。
✅ 正确答案
B. The recognition that environmental factors alone cannot explain societal complexity.
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)
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