Argument56 一道比较难的题【CSMY作文互改第四小组】自己的练习----感有拍必回！

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ARGUMENT56 - Collectors prize the ancient life-size clay statues of human figures made on Kali Island but have long wondered how the Kalinese artists were able to depict bodies with such realistic precision. Since archeologists have recently discovered molds of human heads and hands on Kali, we can now conclude that the ancient Kalinese artists used molds of actual bodies, not sculpting tools and techniques, to create these statues. This discovery explains why Kalinese miniature statues were abstract and entirely different in style: molds could only be used for life-size sculptures. It also explains why few ancient Kalinese sculpting tools have been found. In light of this development, collectors should expect the life-size sculptures to decrease in value and the miniatures to increase in value.
WORDS: 429          TIME: 上午 12:35:00          DATE: 2007-1-22
Second edition: 527 words

Based on a recently archaeological discovery in Kali Island, the arguer draws the conclusion that the value of life-size sculptures would dwindle but the one of miniature would go on the contrary side. Close scrutiny of the argument reveals that there are several flaws in the line of reasoning.

To begin with, the arguer assumes that the ancient Kalinese artists made use of molds and actual bodies to create the life-size clay statues of human figures in that some archaeologists have recently discovered molds of human heads and hands on Kali Island. However, the arguer fails to provide any clear evidence that the ancient life-size clay statues of human figures must have been created by the means of molds. Perhaps the molds founded by archaeologists were used as other functions such as treatment for patients with hand fracture or protecting their head in wars. Without ruling out these possible functions of the molds, the arguer's conclusion that the ancient life-size clay statues were created in the way of molding is untenable.

Secondly, granted that the life-size statues were created by molding, whether the manufacturing process of the statues had nothing with the sculpting tools and techniques is open to question. Although the archaeologists have not found such tools and techniques, it is entirely possible that those tools and techniques had been destroyed or lost for long time or in wars. So the arguer should not conclude that no sculpting tools and techniques was involved the manufacturing process of the ancient life-size clay statues.

Thirdly, the author unwarrantedly considers that the reason why Kaliness miniature statues were abstract and entirely different in style is that molds could only be used for life-sized sculptures. However, he fails to supply any evidence for that. There is a possibility that the miniature statues were created for other purposes such as preying or functioning as the decoration of the palace. In addition, the miniature statues were still probably created by small molds, however, the small molds have been destroyed after finish the miniature statues by artists. So, the arguer's reason for the miniature statue's abstract significance and different style is unpersuasive.

Furthermore, the author predicts that the value of life-size sculptures will diminish and the one of the miniature will increase. By the same token, the arguer fails to provide any evidence. Common sense tells me that the values of antique will not devalue only for a scientific that is shortage of convincing evidence. If the number of life-size statues is small, or the life-size statues had ever been preserved by some famous collectors in history, the statues will enjoy continuous raise of value. For the miniatures, collectors would still take into the factors as mentioned above to determine their values.

In sum, the reasoning of the argument is unpersuasive. To strengthen it, Far more archaeological research and investigation should be exerted to provided  believable evidence showing that the life-size clay statues were actually made only the molds and the miniatures could not made by the means. To better evaluate the value of two different types of statue, we need to know how collectors will assess them after the archaeological discovery.