The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that human activities and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. This theory, popular in the 19th century, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, while tropical regions, due to their abundance and heat, led to lethargy and stagnation. However, modern geographers have largely rejected this deterministic view, emphasizing instead the role of human agency, technological adaptation, and cultural values in shaping societies. They point to examples like Singapore, which thrived despite its tropical location, and the Arctic communities that developed complex survival strategies. Thus, while environment imposes constraints, it does not dictate outcomes; rather, it offers a range of possibilities that humans may exploit or overcome depending on their socio-economic systems and knowledge base.
❓ 文章によると、現代の地理学者による環境決定論への主な批判は何ですか？
A. それは社会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、気候が人間の活動に与える影響を無視している。
C. それは人間の適応力や文化的要因を考慮に入れていない。
D. これは温帯地域にのみ適用され、熱帯や北極圏の地域には適用されません。
✅ 正确答案
It fails to account for human adaptability 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