The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geographical studies. Early proponents argued that human societal development was largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, suggesting that temperate regions fostered advanced civilizations while tropical climates hindered progress. However, this perspective was heavily criticized for its ethnocentric bias and oversimplification of complex human-environment interactions. Modern scholars advocate for 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment sets certain constraints, human agency and technological innovation can overcome many natural limitations. This shift reflects a broader trend in academia towards recognizing the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between nature and culture, where neither factor solely dictates outcomes but rather co-evolves in a complex adaptive system.
❓ 根据文章，早期环境决定论的主要批评是什么？
A. 技術の進歩を完全に無視していた。
B. それはあまりにも単純すぎて、文化的に偏っていました。
C. 熱帯気候のみに焦点を当てた。
D. それは地理が社会に与える影響を一切否定した。
✅ 正确答案
It was too simplistic and culturally biased.
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