The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that human activities and societal development are predominantly shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. This theory, popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and technological innovation, while tropical regions, due to their heat and humidity, were associated with lethargy and limited progress. However, modern geographical scholarship has largely rejected this deterministic view, emphasizing instead the role of human agency, cultural values, and historical contingencies. Critics point to examples such as the advanced civilizations of the Maya and Inca in tropical and mountainous environments, which flourished despite adverse conditions. Contemporary research advocates for a more nuanced 'possibilism' framework, wherein the environment offers a set of constraints and opportunities, but human choices and cultural adaptations ultimately determine outcomes. This shift reflects a broader academic trend toward recognizing complexity and rejecting simplistic causal explanations in social science.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, lý do chính khiến các học giả hiện đại bác bỏ thuyết quyết định môi trường là gì?
A. A. Nó quá nhấn mạnh vai trò của tác nhân con người trong việc định hình xã hội.
B. B. Nó không giải thích được các ví dụ về các nền văn minh tiên tiến trong môi trường khắc nghiệt.
C. C. Nó bỏ qua ảnh hưởng của khí hậu đến năng suất nông nghiệp.
D. D. Nó chỉ dựa trên dữ liệu lỗi thời từ thế kỷ 19.
✅ 正确答案
B. It fails to account for examples of advanced civilizations in challenging environments.
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