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. While early proponents like Ellsworth Huntington argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, critics contend that such theories oversimplify complex cultural dynamics and often carry ethnocentric biases. Modern scholarship tends to favor 'possibilism,' which acknowledges environmental constraints but emphasizes human agency and technological adaptation. For instance, the Netherlands, despite its cold, damp climate, has thrived through engineered solutions like windmills and dikes, demonstrating that societies can overcome natural limitations. This shift reflects a broader trend in social sciences toward recognizing the interplay between nature and culture, rather than attributing causality to a single factor.
❓ Каков основной аргумент, представленный в отрывке?
A. A) Экологический детерминизм остаётся наиболее точной теорией для объяснения развития общества.
B. B) Нидерланды являются примером общества, которое не смогло адаптироваться к своей окружающей среде.
C. C) Современная география отвергает идею о том, что окружающая среда исключительно определяет результаты деятельности человека.
D. D) Теории Эллсворта Хантингтона в настоящее время широко признаны учёными.
✅ 正确答案
C) Modern geography rejects the idea that environment solely dictates human outcomes.
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