The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been debated in geography. Early proponents argued that human behavior and societal development were largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. However, this perspective lost favor in the mid-20th century due to its oversimplification and potential for justifying colonialism. Contemporary scholars instead advocate for 'possibilism', which posits that the environment offers a set of possibilities and constraints, but human agency and cultural innovation ultimately determine outcomes. For instance, while arid regions may limit agriculture, technological advancements like drip irrigation can overcome such barriers. This nuanced view acknowledges the environment's influence without reducing humans to passive recipients of natural forces. Recent research further emphasizes the role of globalization, which allows societies to mitigate environmental limitations through trade and knowledge exchange, thus complicating any direct causal link between environment and society.
❓ According to the passage, what is the main difference between environmental determinism and possibilism?
A. A) Determinism ignores climate, while possibilism emphasizes it.
B. B) Determinism sees environment as controlling, while possibilism sees it as a framework with human choice.
C. C) Determinism supports colonialism, while possibilism rejects all technology.
D. D) Determinism focuses on arid regions, while possibilism focuses on temperate zones.
✅ 正确答案
B) Determinism sees environment as controlling, while possibilism sees it as a framework with human choice.
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