The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that human behavior and societal development were largely shaped by climatic conditions, suggesting that temperate zones fostered advanced civilizations while tropical regions hindered progress. However, this theory was criticized for its oversimplification and potential to justify colonialism. Modern geographers instead emphasize 'possibilism', the idea that the environment offers a range of possibilities, and human choices, driven by culture and technology, ultimately determine outcomes. This shift reflects a broader recognition of human agency, yet recent research on climate change impacts has reintroduced a nuanced form of determinism, acknowledging that severe environmental constraints can significantly limit options, particularly for vulnerable communities lacking adaptive capacity.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 초기 환경 결정론과 현대 가능주의의 주요 차이점은 무엇인가?
A. A. 초기 결정론은 기후를 무시한 반면, 가능론은 기후에 초점을 맞춘다.
B. B. 초기 결정론은 환경을 결정적인 요소로 보았으나, 가능론은 인간의 주체성을 강조한다.
C. C. 초기 결정론은 연구에 기반한 반면, 가능론은 순전히 이론적이다.
D. D. 초기 결정론은 식민주의를 지지했지만, 가능론은 모든 환경적 영향을 거부한다.
✅ 正确答案
B. Early determinism saw environment as decisive, while possibilism highlights human agency.
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