The concept of 'environmental determinism,' which posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions, has been a subject of intense debate among geographers and historians. Proponents in the 19th century, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, while tropical regions supposedly led to lethargy. However, this perspective was later criticized for its oversimplification and potential to justify colonialism. Modern scholarship, exemplified by the work of Jared Diamond, offers a more nuanced view, suggesting that environmental factors influence the availability of domesticable species and thus the trajectory of civilizations, but do not dictate cultural outcomes. Instead, human agency and historical contingencies play crucial roles. This shift reflects a broader trend in academia towards acknowledging complex, multi-causal explanations over singular deterministic theories.
❓ この文章によると、19世紀の環境決定論に対する主な批判は何ですか？
A. A. それは、社会を形成する上での気候の役割を無視していた。
B. B. それはあまりにも単純化されすぎており、植民地支配の慣行を正当化するために利用される可能性があった。
C. C. それは熱帯地域のみに焦点を当て、温帯地域を無視した。
D. D. それは歴史的発展における人間の主体的役割を過度に強調していた。
✅ 正确答案
B. It was too simplistic and could be used to support colonial practices.
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