The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that climate and topography directly shape human behavior and societal development. However, modern scholars reject this simplistic causality, noting that technological innovation and cultural exchange often enable societies to overcome environmental constraints. For instance, the Netherlands, despite its low-lying geography, has thrived through advanced water management systems. Conversely, resource-rich regions like the Congo Basin have faced developmental challenges due to political instability rather than environmental factors. This shift reflects a broader trend in social sciences toward recognizing human agency and complex socio-economic interactions over unilateral environmental influence.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 현대 학자들이 환경 결정론을 거부하는 주요 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A. 기술적 및 문화적 요인은 환경적 한계를 완화할 수 있다.
B. B. 네덜란드는 지리적 제약에 대한 반례이다.
C. C. 정치적 불안정은 발전에 있어 환경보다 더 중요하다.
D. D. 자원이 풍부한 지역은 항상 개발 도전에 직면한다.
✅ 正确答案
A. Technological and cultural factors can mitigate environmental limitations.
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