The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. This theory posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by the physical environment, such as climate and topography. Proponents argue that civilizations in temperate zones have historically advanced more rapidly than those in tropical or arctic regions due to favorable conditions for agriculture and industry. However, critics contend that this perspective oversimplifies complex human-environment interactions and often leads to ethnocentric biases. Modern scholarship emphasizes 'possibilism', which acknowledges environmental constraints but highlights human agency and technological innovation as pivotal in shaping outcomes. This shift reflects a broader trend toward understanding cultural development as a multifaceted process rather than a deterministic outcome of geography.
❓ 本文によると、次のうちどれが「可能主義者」の見解を最もよく表しているか？
A. A. 環境が社会の発展レベルを完全に決定する。
B. B. 人間の革新は一部の環境的制約を克服できるが、環境は依然として限界を設定する。
C. C. 気候と地形が文化的進歩に影響を与える唯一の要因である。
D. D. 技術の進歩は環境問題とは無関係である。
✅ 正确答案
B. Human innovation can overcome some environmental limitations, but the environment still sets boundaries.
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