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.
❓ 현대 지리학자들이 환경 결정론을 거부하는 주요 이유는 무엇인가?
A. 그것은 인간 발전에 있어 기술의 역할을 지나치게 강조한다.
B. 그것은 인간의 선택과 문화적 요인의 영향을 무시한다.
C. 그것은 오직 식민 강대국들에 의해서만 개발되었다.
D. 그것은 현대 문제에 대한 실질적인 적용 방안을 제공하지 않는다.
✅ 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