48. According to the passage, the challenge facing the 'Chinese writers' mentioned in the second sentence of paragraph 2 is to
Answer: E
Chinese writers face the challenge of communicating a message in an artistic style.
The challenge facing the Chinese writers is to communicate their messages artistically while adhering to the complexities of the Chinese script. They must express the variety of forms in the script aesthetically, which requires a high level of skill and creativity.
A) accurately translate foreign texts into Chinese
This option is not supported by the passage. The focus is on the artistic expression within the Chinese script rather than translation. The challenge described does not involve foreign texts but rather the inherent qualities of Chinese calligraphy itself.
B) convey meaning with as few Chinese characters as possible
While brevity can be a consideration in writing, the passage emphasizes the artistic aspect of Chinese calligraphy rather than the economy of characters. The challenge is not about using fewer characters but about expressing the beauty and variety of the script.
C) capture the essence of a person's character in a few words
This option misinterprets the context. The passage does not discuss capturing personal essences but rather the aesthetic expression and movement in Chinese calligraphy. Thus, this option does not align with the challenge presented.
D) know the meaning of several thousand Chinese characters
Although understanding the characters is essential, the passage highlights the challenge of artistic expression rather than mere recognition or knowledge of the characters' meanings. This option does not address the artistic nature of the challenge.
E) communicate a message in an artistic style
This option accurately reflects the challenge described in the passage. The writers must create visually appealing representations of the characters while maintaining legibility, which is a significant aspect of Chinese calligraphy.
Conclusion
The correct answer, E, encapsulates the essence of the challenge faced by Chinese writers: the need to combine artistry with clarity in their writing. All other options fail to capture this central theme, focusing instead on aspects that do not align with the artistic nature of calligraphy as described in the passage.