The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a contentious issue in geography. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography directly shaped human civilization, positing that temperate zones fostered advanced societies while tropical regions hindered development. However, this perspective was heavily criticized in the 20th century for its Eurocentric bias and oversimplification of complex cultural dynamics. Contemporary scholars instead advocate for 'possibilism,' which suggests that while the environment imposes constraints, human agency and technological innovation play a pivotal role in overcoming these limitations. This shift reflects a broader trend in academia towards recognizing the interplay between natural and social factors, rather than attributing causality to a single variable.
❓ 환경 결정론이 후대 학자들에 의해 거부된 주요 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A) 그것은 기후가 사회를 형성하는 역할을 무시했다.
B. B) 그것은 제한된 지리적 데이터에 기반을 두었다.
C. C) 그것은 인간의 창의성과 문화적 복잡성을 설명하지 못했다.
D. D) 그것은 열대 지역에만 적용되었다.
✅ 正确答案
C) It failed to account for human creativity and cultural complexity.
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