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.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, hạn chế chính của thuyết quyết định môi trường là gì?
A. Nó bỏ qua vai trò của khí hậu trong việc định hình các xã hội.
B. Nó phóng đại ảnh hưởng của môi trường đối với các xã hội loài người.
C. Nó không nhận ra những tiến bộ công nghệ là các yếu tố môi trường.
D. Nó hoàn toàn bác bỏ ý tưởng về quyền chủ động của con người.
✅ 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