The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. This theory posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by the physical environment, such as climate and topography. Early proponents, like Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered higher levels of civilization, while tropical regions lagged due to heat-induced lethargy. However, modern scholars have largely rejected this view, pointing to counterexamples where societies in similar environments developed differently, and emphasizing the role of human agency, technology, and cultural exchange. Instead, they favor 'possibilism', which suggests that the environment offers a range of possibilities, and human choices determine which are realized. This shift reflects a broader move towards understanding complex human-environment interactions without reducing causality to a single factor.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main limitation of environmental determinism as identified by modern scholars?
A. A) It overemphasizes the role of technology in shaping societies.
B. B) It ignores the influence of climate on human energy levels.
C. C) It fails to account for variations in societal development within similar environments.
D. D) It underestimates the importance of cultural exchange in tropical regions.
✅ 正确答案
C) It fails to account for variations in societal development within similar environments.
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