The concept of 'environmental determinism' once dominated geographical thought, positing that human activities and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and topographic conditions. However, this theory has been widely criticized for oversimplifying the complex interplay between nature and culture. Contemporary geographers argue that while the environment imposes certain constraints, human ingenuity and technological advancement often mitigate or even override these limitations. For instance, arid regions like the Middle East have thrived economically not because of their climate, but due to strategic resource management and global trade networks. Thus, the modern perspective emphasizes a reciprocal relationship, where environmental factors influence but do not dictate human outcomes, and human actions, in turn, modify the environment in profound ways.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, chỉ trích chính đối với thuyết quyết định môi trường là gì?
A. Nó bỏ qua vai trò của khí hậu trong việc định hình các xã hội.
B. Nó phóng đại ảnh hưởng của môi trường đối với sự phát triển của con người.
C. Nó không xem xét đến những hạn chế về công nghệ.
D. Nó tập trung quá nhiều vào các yếu tố kinh tế.
✅ 正确答案
It overstates the influence of the environment on human development.
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