The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. This theory posits that the physical environment, particularly climate and terrain, fundamentally shapes human societies, influencing their economic activities, cultural practices, and even political structures. While early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered higher levels of civilization, critics contend that such views oversimplify complex human-environment interactions and often carry ethnocentric biases. Modern scholarship tends to favor 'possibilism', which acknowledges environmental constraints but emphasizes human agency and technological innovation as key drivers of societal development. This shift reflects a broader recognition that environmental factors are but one variable in a multifaceted equation, and that human adaptability can overcome many natural limitations, albeit not without significant costs.
❓ According to the passage, what is a primary criticism of environmental determinism?
A. A) It overemphasizes the role of technology in societal development.
B. B) It ignores the influence of climate on human activities.
C. C) It oversimplifies human-environment interactions and may be ethnocentric.
D. D) It fails to account for the physical environment's impact on culture.
✅ 正确答案
C) It oversimplifies human-environment interactions and may be ethnocentric.
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