The concept of 'environmental determinism,' which posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, gained prominence in the early 20th century. However, this theory was later criticized for oversimplifying the complex interplay between nature and culture. Scholars such as Carl Sauer argued that human agency and technological innovation could significantly modify environmental constraints, leading to a more nuanced perspective known as 'possibilism.' Possibilism suggests that the environment offers a range of possibilities, and human choices, guided by cultural and historical contexts, determine which possibilities are realized. This shift in thinking underscored the importance of considering both environmental factors and human creativity in understanding societal evolution.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la principal limitación del determinismo ambiental?
A. Ignora el papel del clima en la formación de las sociedades.
B. Exagera la influencia del entorno en las sociedades humanas.
C. No reconoce los avances tecnológicos como factores ambientales.
D. Rechaza por completo la idea de la agencia humana.
✅ 正确答案
It overstates the influence of the environment on human societies.
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