Reading time: 3 minutes
Easter Island
Approximately 500 years ago, the flourishing society of Easter Island suffered a steep decline in population. Many theories have surfaced explaining how this could have happened to such a thriving culture. Within this small, isolated island in the Pacific Ocean, researchers have uncovered archaeological evidence that clearly indicates one theory for the decimation of the Easter Islanders above all others: invaders.
First, the disappearance of nearly every tree on this Island points to the kind of environmental destruction that could only result from foreign incursions. Researchers discovered that this land now devoid of trees was once covered with palms. Biological evidence indicates an abundance of palm for centuries until about 500 years ago, the time when the population nearly vanished. Only invaders could have brought about that kind of destruction all at once.
Another key piece of support lies in the archeological discovery of spear tips that appeared at around the same time as the near destruction of the Islanders. These spear tips show beyond any doubt that there was conflict and warfare on the island best explained by the onslaught of invaders. In addition to these war implements, skeletons from that time have been examined and show the kind of deformation that results only from combat.
Last, the appearance of a new religion provides more support. Special dating methods used by archeologists determined that "birdman" statues surfaced at the same time as the dramatic shift in population. As history proves time and time again, when an invading force occupies a new territory, it takes with it its customs, culture, and religion. The abandonment of the old religious order for the new "birdman" religion as evidenced by these statues must be understood as the outcome of invasion.
The author posits that the main reason for decreasing population of Easter Island was due to invadors and provides three reasons of support. The lecturer casts doubt on the article and refutes each reason.
First, the article claims that the environmental destruction happened because of invadors. However, the professor explains that the disappearance of all of the trees did not happen because of invadors. He states that on that time communities used to build stone statues as a symbol to demonstrate their cultural dominance. These statues were made of trees and inhabitats used to cut trees to build more statues. This becomes like a competition and they cut more and more trees which results destruction of environment.
Second, the reading states that the discovery of spear tips is another reason to support that invadors caused that decrease in population. The professor explains that it is true that they discovered spear tips but they were not from invadors. He adds that they were warfare but not to defense. The spear tips were used to attack their fellow islanders. He explains that using trees caused having fewer material to build boats to go for fishing. So, the inhabitats of the Easter Island did not have enough food to eat. He states that the situation was so bad that it looked like nothing more than a civil war.
Third, the author mentions that appearance of new religion could be because of invadors. The professor refutes the statement by saying that new religions appeared in that era but not by invadors. He supports his opinion by saying that people of the Island were having a very difficult time. Their family members were losing their lives because of starvation. He explains since the habitats of the island found the old religion not effective because of the problems they were dealing with, they decided to choose other religion and the birdman was a symbol of one.
| Post date | Users | Rates | Link to Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-09-15 | harshpatel98 | 65 | view |
| 2019-09-15 | harshpatel98 | 3 | view |
| 2019-09-15 | harshpatel98 | 3 | view |
- Summarize the points made in the lecture and explain how they cast doubt on points made in the reading passage Space Tourism Soon there will be something new for the tourist who has been everywhere and seen everything on Earth Spacecraft being developed b 93
- Question: Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 83
- Do you agree or disagree with the following: young people nowadays do not give enough time to help the community. 70
- Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. 98
- It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. 70
Sentence: These statues were made of trees and inhabitats used to cut trees to build more statues.
Error: inhabitats Suggestion: No alternate word
Sentence: So, the inhabitats of the Easter Island did not have enough food to eat.
Error: inhabitats Suggestion: No alternate word
flaws:
No. of Words: 320 250
Write the essay in 20 minutes. Don't repeat words, phrases and sentences. like: 'He explain...'
Attribute Value Ideal
Score: 25 in 30
Category: Very Good Excellent
No. of Grammatical Errors: 0 2
No. of Spelling Errors: 2 2
No. of Sentences: 19 12
No. of Words: 320 250
No. of Characters: 1553 1200
No. of Different Words: 153 150
Fourth Root of Number of Words: 4.229 4.2
Average Word Length: 4.853 4.6
Word Length SD: 2.452 2.4
No. of Words greater than 5 chars: 115 80
No. of Words greater than 6 chars: 81 60
No. of Words greater than 7 chars: 52 40
No. of Words greater than 8 chars: 27 20
Use of Passive Voice (%): 0 0
Avg. Sentence Length: 16.842 21.0
Sentence Length SD: 5.905 7.5
Use of Discourse Markers (%): 0.474 0.12
Sentence-Text Coherence: 0.316 0.35
Sentence-Para Coherence: 0.502 0.50
Sentence-Sentence Coherence: 0.165 0.07
Number of Paragraphs: 4 4