The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. While this theory gained prominence in the 19th century, modern scholars largely reject it as overly simplistic, arguing that human innovation and cultural adaptation can overcome environmental constraints. However, recent research on climate change has revived interest in the interplay between environment and society, not as a deterministic force, but as a significant influencing factor. For instance, studies show that prolonged droughts can exacerbate resource conflicts, yet the outcomes depend heavily on political institutions and technological capacity. Thus, the relationship between environment and society is complex, bidirectional, and mediated by human agency. This nuanced perspective underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
❓ 文章によると、現代の学者が19世紀の環境決定論を退ける主な理由は何か。
A. A. それは、気候が人間の行動を形成する役割を無視している。
B. B. それは人間の創造性と文化的適応を見落としている。
C. C. それは政治制度と技術を過度に重視している。
D. D. それは資源紛争の影響を認識できていない。
✅ 正确答案
B. It overlooks human creativity and cultural adaptation.
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