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.
❓ Согласно тексту, в чём заключается основная критика экологического детерминизма современными учёными?
A. Оно переоценивает роль человеческих инноваций в общественном прогрессе.
B. Оно не учитывает случаи, когда развитые общества процветали в сложных климатических условиях.
C. Оно полностью игнорирует влияние тропического климата на поведение человека.
D. Это предполагает, что все цивилизации развиваются одинаково, независимо от географии.
✅ 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
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first