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.
❓ 根据文章内容，对19世纪环境决定论的主要批评是什么？
A. A. Оно игнорировало роль климата в формировании обществ.
B. B. Это было слишком упрощённо и могло быть использовано для оправдания колониальной практики.
C. C. Он сосредоточился только на тропических регионах и игнорировал умеренные зоны.
D. D. Он чрезмерно подчёркивал роль человеческой деятельности в историческом развитии.
✅ 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