The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. This theory posits that human behavior and societal development are predominantly shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness, while tropical regions supposedly led to lethargy. However, modern scholars reject this simplistic causality, pointing to counterexamples like the advanced civilizations of the Maya in tropical lowlands. Instead, they advocate for 'possibilism', which acknowledges that environment offers a set of constraints and opportunities, but human agency and cultural innovation play decisive roles in shaping outcomes. This shift reflects a broader academic trend toward recognizing the complex interplay between nature and culture, rejecting deterministic frameworks in favor of nuanced, multi-causal analyses.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la principal crítica de los académicos modernos al determinismo ambiental?
A. Sobrestima el papel de la innovación humana en el progreso social.
B. No logra explicar los casos en los que sociedades avanzadas prosperaron en climas difíciles.
C. Ignora por completo la influencia de los climas tropicales en el comportamiento humano.
D. Sugiere que todas las civilizaciones se desarrollan por igual, independientemente de la geografía.
✅ 正确答案
It fails to account for cases where advanced societies thrived in challenging climates.
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
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