The concept of 'environmental determinism,' which posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, has been a subject of intense debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, while tropical regions lagged due to heat-induced lethargy. However, this view was criticized for its ethnocentric bias and lack of empirical rigor. Modern scholarship emphasizes the role of human agency and technological adaptation, suggesting that environmental factors are merely one variable in a complex interplay of cultural, historical, and economic forces. For instance, the success of Singapore, a tropical nation, in achieving high economic development challenges deterministic assumptions. Thus, while environment can constrain or enable certain options, it does not dictate outcomes.
❓ この文章において、環境決定論に関して提示されている主な議論は何ですか？
A. A. 環境要因は社会の成功を決定する主要な要因である。
B. B. 環境決定論の理論は完全に否定され、もはや妥当性を持たない。
C. C. 人間の主体性と適応力は環境的制約を克服できるため、決定論は過度に単純化されている。
D. D. 熱帯気候は、暑さのために本質的に経済発展を妨げる。
✅ 正确答案
C. Human agency and adaptation can overcome environmental constraints, making determinism overly simplistic.
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