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.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 다음 중 '가능론자'의 관점을 가장 잘 나타내는 것은 무엇인가?
A. A. 환경이 사회의 발전 수준을 완전히 결정한다.
B. B. 인간의 혁신은 일부 환경적 제약을 극복할 수 있지만, 환경은 여전히 한계를 설정한다.
C. C. 기후와 지형은 문화 발전에 영향을 미치는 유일한 요인이다.
D. D. 기술 발전은 환경 문제와 무관하다.
✅ 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