The concept of 'environmental determinism', which posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, dominated geographic thought in the early 20th century. However, this theory was increasingly criticized for its oversimplification of complex cultural phenomena and its implicit justification of colonial hierarchies. By the mid-century, it was largely replaced by 'possibilism', which argued that the environment offers a set of possibilities from which humans, guided by their cultural and technological capacities, make choices. This shift reflected a broader academic trend toward acknowledging human agency and the role of social factors in shaping history, yet recent studies suggest that environmental constraints, particularly in the context of climate change, are re-emerging as critical variables in understanding societal resilience, though not in a deterministic manner.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main difference between environmental determinism and possibilism?
A. A. Determinism emphasizes human agency, while possibilism emphasizes environmental constraints.
B. B. Determinism views the environment as the primary shaper of society, while possibilism sees the environment as providing options within human control.
C. C. Possibilism was developed to justify colonial hierarchies, while determinism was not.
D. D. Possibilism ignores climate change, while determinism incorporates it.
✅ 正确答案
B. Determinism views the environment as the primary shaper of society, while possibilism sees the environment as providing options within human control.
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