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.
❓ Согласно тексту, какой из следующих вариантов лучше всего отражает точку зрения «поссибилиста»?
A. A. Окружающая среда полностью определяет уровень развития общества.
B. B. Человеческие инновации могут преодолеть некоторые экологические ограничения, но окружающая среда всё же устанавливает границы.
C. C. Климат и рельеф являются единственными факторами, влияющими на культурный прогресс.
D. D. Технологические достижения не имеют отношения к экологическим проблемам.
✅ 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