▶ Your Answer :
In the reading passage, there is ample support for the author’s claim that there are a few reliable theories to explain the cause of the Little Ice Age. However, the professor in the lecture gives several reasons as a rebuttal to the author’s point. First, the professor from the lecture contends that it cannot prove that declined solar radiation caused the Little Ice Age. According to the recent research, there is no relationship between the number of sunspot and the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth. Although sunspots were diminished, the total amount of solar radiation was not declined. This casts doubt on the reading passage’s claim that diminished solar radiation reaching the planet because of dearth of sunspots leaded to the Little Ice Age. Next, the professor from the lecture insists that volcanic eruption was not triggered the advent of the Little Ice Age. It is true that thick plume of dust and ash from volcanic activities could affect lower temperature in the Earth for a while, yet this was not able to sustain for a few centuries. However, the Little Ice Age was continued for 500 years. This counters the reading passage’s assertion that a massive volcanic eruption made thick plume, and reduced the amount of solar radiation, consequently resulting in the Little Ice Age. Finally, the professor from the lecture argues that the Little Ice Age was not caused by an increased Earth’s reflectivity. Snow and glaciers are not the only factor to reflect sunlight in the Earth. The cloud also plays a significant role in reflecting sunlight. During the Little Ice Age, the water evaporation was declined, and thus the number of cloud was decreased. Therefore, overall reflectivity did not increase during the Little Ice Age. This refutes the reading passage’s suggestion that the Little Ice Age had occurred due to an increase in the Earth’s reflectivity. |