Final answer:
Durham Cathedral is a precursor to English Gothic architecture with its use of ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and flying buttresses, which allowed for higher structures, larger windows, and lighter walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
Architectural Elements of Durham Cathedral, Durham Cathedral's architecture holds significant features that make it a forerunner of the Gothic style in England. Specifically, option a. Ribbed vaults and pointed arches are the correct answer.
These features, along with flying buttresses, not only facilitated the increased height of Gothic buildings but also enabled large window spaces, allowing for more light to enter these structures compared to the thick walls and small windows of Romanesque buildings.
The ribbed vaulting, a hallmark of Gothic architecture, was used to support the additional height and weight of these structures, while the pointed arches allowed for the redistribution of thrust, leading to slimmer columns or piers.
Flying buttresses, as used in Durham Cathedral, marked a significant advance in architectural engineering, acting as exterior support systems that counteracted the outward forces exerted by the height of the walls, and hence prevented structural failure from occurring. The integration of these elements at Durham Cathedral exemplifies the early experimentation and adoption of Gothic architecture in England.