The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a contentious issue in geography. Early theorists, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography fundamentally shape human behavior and societal development. However, this perspective was heavily criticized for oversimplifying complex cultural interactions and for justifying colonial narratives. Modern scholarship leans towards 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment offers a range of possibilities, human agency and innovation ultimately determine the outcome. Recent studies in climate resilience further suggest that societies with strong institutional frameworks can adapt to environmental stresses, thereby challenging any direct causal link between physical geography and social progress. Thus, the academic discourse has shifted from a deterministic to a more nuanced understanding of human-environment relationships.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, sự thay đổi chính trong tư duy học thuật về mối quan hệ giữa con người và môi trường là gì?
A. A. Từ chủ nghĩa khả năng đến chủ nghĩa quyết định môi trường
B. B. Từ thuyết quyết định môi trường đến thuyết khả năng
C. C. Từ khả năng chống chịu khí hậu đến khung thể chế
D. D. Từ những câu chuyện thuộc địa đến sự đơn giản hóa quá mức về địa lý
✅ 正确答案
B. From environmental determinism to possibilism
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