The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that human behavior and societal development were largely dictated by climatic and geographical conditions. However, this view was criticized for oversimplifying complex cultural interactions and ignoring human agency. Modern scholars now favor a more nuanced approach, recognizing that while environment can constrain or facilitate certain activities, its influence is mediated by technological, economic, and political factors. For instance, a river may serve as a trade route in one era but become a political boundary in another, depending on the prevailing social structures. Thus, the relationship between environment and society is dynamic and reciprocal, rather than unidirectional.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main problem with early environmental determinism?
A. It ignored the role of technology in society.
B. It failed to account for the complexity of human-environment interactions.
C. It placed too much emphasis on political factors.
D. It denied the existence of geographical constraints.
✅ 正确答案
It failed to account for the complexity of human-environment interactions.
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