The concept of 'environmental determinism,' which posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, has been largely discredited in modern geography. Critics argue that it oversimplifies complex human-environment interactions and ignores the role of human agency, technological innovation, and cultural adaptation. However, recent research in climate history has revived interest in a more nuanced form of this idea. Scholars now suggest that while environmental factors do not dictate outcomes, they can create significant constraints or opportunities that influence historical trajectories. For instance, the collapse of certain ancient civilizations has been linked to prolonged droughts, yet other societies in similar conditions developed resilient water management systems. This suggests that environmental pressures are mediated by social structures and knowledge systems, making the relationship between environment and society a dynamic and bidirectional one.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 인류 역사에서 환경적 영향에 대한 현재 학계의 견해는 무엇인가?
A. A. 환경적 요인은 사회적 결과의 주요 결정 요인이다.
B. B. 환경적 요인은 인간의 행위성이 항상 우세하기 때문에 무관하다.
C. C. 환경적 요인은 사회를 제약하거나 가능하게 할 수 있지만, 그 영향은 사회적·문화적 요인에 의해 완화된다.
D. D. 환경 결정론은 현대적 관련성 없이 완전히 거부되었다.
✅ 正确答案
C. Environmental factors can constrain or enable societies, but their impact is moderated by social and cultural 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
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