The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a contentious issue in geography. Early proponents argued that human behavior and societal development were largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. However, this perspective lost favor in the twentieth century due to its oversimplification and potential for justifying colonialism. More recently, a nuanced approach, termed 'possibilism', has emerged, suggesting that the environment offers a set of possibilities from which humans choose based on cultural and technological factors. This view acknowledges environmental constraints but emphasizes human agency. Critics of possibilism, though, point out that it may underestimate the influence of environmental crises, such as climate change, which can overwhelm human adaptive capacity. Thus, contemporary scholarship increasingly advocates for a dynamic, interactive model where environment and society co-evolve, recognizing that neither factor is solely deterministic.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main shift in how geographers view the relationship between environment and society?
A. A. From environmental determinism to possibilism, and then to a dynamic co-evolutionary model.
B. B. From possibilism to environmental determinism, rejecting human agency.
C. C. From a focus on climate to a focus on technology as the sole determinant.
D. D. From a static view of environment to a belief that environment has no influence.
✅ 正确答案
A. From environmental determinism to possibilism, and then to a dynamic co-evolutionary model.
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