▶ Topic : Both the reading and listening passage talk about stones that were used for the construction of Iron age forts. The reading passage writes there are a few attempts to explain about vitrified stonework. However, the listening passage speaks the use of vitrified stones is not conformed. First, the author of the reading passage argues that it is possible that vitrification was caused by signal fires. The heat of the fire would have led to vitrified surfaces. This casts doubt on the listening passage’s claim that this does not match with the forts. Fires only lit 1/2 places, meaning the heat only affected few areas. Second, the author of the reading passage explains lightening is another plausible cause of vitrified stones. In addition, lightening accounts for the uneven appearance of the walls. This counters the listening passage’s claim that explanation of lightening is problematic. The wall of the forts is 100 meters long. This means there has to be at least dozens of strikes to have an effect. The speaker also adds that the walls are cracked since they are old and says this is normal phenomenon. Last, the author of the reading passage suggests forts were built with volcanic rock, meaning that the vitrification process occurred prior to construction. This refutes the listening passage’s claim that there is no evidence of volcanic activities. Because there was no volcanic activities near the place, people had to transport the rocks. Nevertheless, people present at that time only used local stones since the road was not good enough to move the stones. Therefore, the use of vitrified stones is an impossible argument. |