The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. This theory posits that the physical environment, particularly climate and topography, directly shapes human behavior and societal development. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness, while tropical regions led to lethargy. However, this perspective was heavily criticized for its ethnocentric bias and oversimplification of complex cultural dynamics. Modern scholarship instead emphasizes 'possibilism', which suggests that the environment offers a range of possibilities, but human agency and cultural choices ultimately determine outcomes. This shift reflects a broader trend in social sciences towards recognizing the interplay of multiple factors, including historical context, technology, and globalization, in shaping civilizations.
❓ Según el pasaje, la principal crítica al determinismo ambiental es que:
A. A. Ignora el papel del clima en el desarrollo humano.
B. B. Sobreenfatiza la influencia del entorno mientras descuida los factores humanos y culturales.
C. C. Solo fue apoyado por geógrafos de regiones tropicales.
D. D. No tiene en cuenta los avances tecnológicos en las sociedades modernas.
✅ 正确答案
B. Overemphasizes the influence of the environment while neglecting human and cultural factors.
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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