The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. This theory posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by physical environmental conditions, such as climate and topography. Early proponents argued that tropical climates hindered technological advancement due to heat and disease, while temperate zones fostered innovation. However, critics contend that this perspective oversimplifies complex human-environment interactions and ignores cultural, historical, and economic factors. Modern research emphasizes a more nuanced view, recognizing that environments offer opportunities and constraints, but human agency and adaptability play crucial roles. For instance, the Dutch have thrived in a low-lying, flood-prone region through engineering, challenging deterministic assumptions. Thus, while environmental factors are significant, they do not rigidly dictate societal outcomes.
❓ 環境決定論に対する批評家たちの主な論点は何か。
A. A) それは社会発展における人間の主体的役割を過度に強調している。
B. B) それは、社会に対する文化的、歴史的、経済的影響を考慮に入れていない。
C. C) それは、熱帯地域が温帯地域よりも発展が遅れている理由を正しく説明している。
D. D) それは、すべての社会がその環境に等しく適応できることを示唆している。
✅ 正确答案
B) It fails to account for cultural, historical, and economic influences on 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)
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