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.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la principal limitación del determinismo ambiental identificada por los académicos modernos?
A. A) Sobredimensiona el papel de la tecnología en la configuración de las sociedades.
B. B) Ignora la influencia del clima en los niveles de energía humana.
C. C) No tiene en cuenta las variaciones en el desarrollo social dentro de entornos similares.
D. D) Subestima la importancia del intercambio cultural en las regiones tropicales.
✅ 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