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.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 19세기 환경 결정론에 대한 주요 비판은 무엇인가?
A. A. 그것은 기후가 사회를 형성하는 역할을 무시했다.
B. B. 그것은 너무 단순했고 식민지 관행을 지지하는 데 사용될 수 있었다.
C. C. 그것은 열대 지역에만 초점을 맞추었고 온대 지역은 무시했다.
D. D. 그것은 역사 발전에 있어 인간의 주체적 역할을 지나치게 강조하였다.
✅ 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