The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography fundamentally shape human behavior and societal development. However, this view was criticized for oversimplifying complex cultural interactions and for justifying colonial expansion. Modern scholarship, while acknowledging the influence of physical environment, emphasizes the agency of human societies in adapting to and modifying their surroundings. This nuanced perspective, often termed 'possibilism', suggests that the environment offers a set of possibilities, but the choices made by societies depend on their technological, social, and political contexts. Consequently, environmental factors are seen not as absolute determinants but as one of many variables in human history.
❓ What is the main shift in perspective described in the passage?
A. A. From environmental determinism to possibilism
B. B. From possibilism to environmental determinism
C. C. From colonial expansion to modern scholarship
D. D. From technological determinism to social determinism
✅ 正确答案
A. From environmental determinism to possibilism
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