TOEFL Sample essay : integrated essay from TPO5

Recently, there has been a lot of debate about the actual purpose of Chaco Canyon "great houses". One group represented by the professor believes that the three theories of the purpose of those Great houses are not convincing and should not be taken seriously. However, the text believes that the answer for this great houses mystery lies on one of the three competing theories.

First, the professor states that the outside of the Great houses look like a Native American apartments house but the inside is not. He explained further that if these houses were used for residential purpose, it would be logical to find enough fire places for every family who lived there. Instead archaeologists only finds ten fire places in a houses that would hold 100s of people. However, the text contends that Chaco structures were purely residential.

Second, the professor explains that the theory which claim that the houses were used to store maize is unsupported by evidences, even though it sound plausible but excavations did not find enough neither maize remaining, nor big containers where maize should be stored. However, the text claims that Chaco structures were used to store food supplies like maize.

Finally, the professor averse that Pueblo Alto is not a proof that Chaco structure were a ceremonial centers. He added that many unused construction materials were found near Pueblo Alto as well as food leftover by the workers. He added that Pueblo Alto could be a trash heap instead. However, the text affirms that the remaining near Pueblo Alto could be a good proof that Chaco structures were a ceremonial centers.