The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. This theory, popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, while tropical regions supposedly led to lethargy and stagnation. However, modern scholarship has largely rejected this deterministic view, emphasizing instead the role of human agency, technological adaptation, and historical contingency. Critics point out that environmental determinism oversimplifies complex interactions between societies and their environments, ignoring how cultures can modify their surroundings to overcome perceived limitations. For example, the Netherlands, despite its cold, damp climate, became a major maritime power through engineering and trade, rather than being constrained by its geography. Thus, while environment can influence certain aspects of life, it does not dictate societal outcomes in a predictable manner.
❓ 文章によると、環境決定論に対する主な批判は何ですか？
A. A) それは、人間の行動を形成する上での気候の役割を無視している。
B. B) それは、人間が環境を改変する能力を過度に重視している。
C. C) それは人間の主体性と文化的適応を考慮に入れていない。
D. D) それは19世紀にのみ人気があり、現在では無関係である。
✅ 正确答案
C) It fails to account for human agency 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