The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. This theory posits that the physical environment, particularly climate and topography, fundamentally shapes human societies and their cultural development. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered higher levels of civilization, while tropical regions were seen as less conducive to technological advancement. However, this perspective has been heavily criticized for its ethnocentric bias and oversimplification of complex human-environment interactions. Modern scholarship emphasizes a more nuanced approach, recognizing that while environmental factors can influence societal trajectories, human agency, technological innovation, and historical contingencies play equally crucial roles. Consequently, environmental determinism is now largely regarded as an outdated framework, replaced by theories of environmental possibilism, which suggest that the environment provides a range of possibilities that human cultures can exploit in diverse ways.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main reason why environmental determinism has been rejected by modern scholars?
A. A. It ignored the role of technology and human choice in shaping societies.
B. B. It was only applicable to temperate regions and not to tropical areas.
C. C. It failed to provide any explanation for cultural differences.
D. D. It was based on insufficient geographical data from the early 20th century.
✅ 正确答案
A. It ignored the role of technology and human choice in shaping societies.
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