The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a contentious topic in geography. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography directly shaped the cognitive abilities and cultural development of human societies. However, this view was heavily criticized for its simplistic assumptions and potential for justifying colonialism. Modern geographers, like Jared Diamond, have refined this idea, suggesting that environmental factors, while not deterministic, can significantly influence the trajectory of civilizations by affecting agricultural productivity, disease prevalence, and access to trade routes. This nuanced perspective acknowledges human agency and technological innovation as intervening variables, yet it still sparks debate about the extent to which environment can constrain or enable societal progress.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es la principal diferencia entre el determinismo ambiental temprano y la perspectiva moderna?
A. A. Los geógrafos modernos rechazan cualquier influencia del entorno en las sociedades humanas.
B. B. El determinismo temprano ignoró por completo el clima y la topografía.
C. C. Las visiones modernas consideran la agencia humana y la tecnología como factores adicionales.
D. D. El determinismo temprano se basaba en evidencia empírica, mientras que las visiones modernas no.
✅ 正确答案
C. Modern views consider human agency and technology as additional factors.
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
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