The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography directly shape human behavior and societal development. However, this perspective was heavily criticized in the mid-20th century for its simplistic assumptions and potential to justify colonialism. Modern scholars now favor 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment imposes constraints, human agency and technological innovation can overcome many of these limitations. This shift reflects a broader recognition of the complex, bidirectional relationship between humans and their environment, where cultural values and political structures also play pivotal roles in shaping landscapes and resource use.
❓ 現代の地理学者が環境決定論を否定する主な理由は何ですか？
A. それは、人間の発展における技術の役割を過度に強調している。
B. それは人間の選択や文化的要因の影響を無視している。
C. それは植民地勢力によってのみ開発された。
D. それは、現代の問題に対して実用的な応用を提供していない。
✅ 正确答案
It ignores the influence of human choice 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)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first