The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography fundamentally shape human behavior and societal development. However, this perspective has been criticized for oversimplifying complex cultural interactions and for justifying colonial narratives. Modern scholarship emphasizes 'possibilism', which suggests that while the environment imposes constraints, human agency and technological innovation can overcome many of these limitations. For instance, the Netherlands has successfully managed water resources despite its low-lying geography. Thus, contemporary geography views the environment as a contributing factor rather than an absolute determinant, acknowledging the dynamic interplay between nature and culture.
❓ この文章によると、環境に関する地理学的思考における主な転換は何ですか？
A. A) 環境決定論から可能論へ、人間の主体性を重視する。
B. B) 可能論から決定論へ、環境的制約を優先する。
C. C) 文化地理学から自然地理学へ、地形に焦点を当てて。
D. D) 技術的楽観主義から環境的悲観主義まで、人間の選択を無視すること。
✅ 正确答案
A) From environmental determinism to possibilism, emphasizing human agency.
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