The reading passage presents three pieces of evidence to support the theory that the Phoenicians, an ancient Mediterranean people, explored the Azores over 2,000 years ago. However, the lecturer in the listening material refutes this evidence, offering counterarguments for each point, including practical purposes of the caves, misunderstanding of "Corvo", and challenges of sailing to Azores. First, the reading claims that caves in the Azores resemble those built by the Phoenicians for religious purposes, as they include stone altars and bowls that could be used for ceremonies. The lecturer challenges this interpretation, arguing that the altars and bowls may not have been used for religious purposes. She explains that the "altars" could simply be tables, and the bowls might have been used to store food or water. Additionally, the caves could have been built by European settlers for practical purposes, such as storing supplies, rather than by the Phoenicians. Second, the reading cites an account of Phoenician coins discovered on Corvo, suggesting that the coins were left by Phoenicians who visited the Azores. However, the lecturer disputes this evidence, noting that the account could be based on a misunderstanding. She explains that "Corvo" might not refer to the island of Corvo in the Azores but rather to a town of the same name in mainland Portugal, a place known to have been visited by Phoenicians. Thus, the coins were likely found in mainland Portugal, not the Azores. Third, the reading argues that Phoenician ships were capable of traveling long distances without stopping, making it plausible that they could have reached the Azores. The lecturer counters this claim by emphasizing the challenges of sailing to the Azores. She explains that the Atlantic Ocean's strong winds and currents flow eastward toward Europe, making it extremely difficult for Phoenician ships to travel westward to the Azores. Consequently, the journey would have been nearly impossible for the ships of that time. In conclusion, while the reading suggests that the Phoenicians explored the Azores based on caves, coins, and their sailing capabilities, the lecturer provides compelling counterarguments that cast significant doubt on this theory.