The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that human behavior and societal development were largely dictated by climatic and geographical conditions. However, this view was criticized for oversimplifying complex cultural dynamics and for justifying colonial narratives. Modern scholarship adopts a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that while environment can influence certain aspects of life, such as agricultural practices or settlement patterns, it does not determine them. Instead, human agency, technological innovation, and historical context interact with environmental factors in a reciprocal manner. This perspective emphasizes the adaptive capacity of societies, which can modify their environment to meet needs, sometimes with unintended consequences like ecological degradation. Thus, the relationship between humans and their environment is seen as a dialectical process, where both shape each other over time.
❓ Согласно тексту, какова ключевая критика раннего экологического детерминизма?
A. Оно игнорировало роль климата в формировании человеческой деятельности.
B. Это было слишком упрощённо и игнорировало человеческую деятельность и культурную сложность.
C. Оно сосредоточивалось только на сельскохозяйственных практиках.
D. Оно отрицало какое-либо влияние географии на человеческие общества.
✅ 正确答案
It was too simplistic and ignored human agency 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