1. The author of the passage uses the phrase 'with the exactness of a seismograph,' which is near the end of paragraph 2, most likely in order to
Answer: B
The phrase 'with the exactness of a seismograph' emphasizes the precision of the Chinese brush compared to the Western pen.
This comparison highlights the delicate and responsive nature of the Chinese brush, which captures every subtle movement of the hand, distinguishing it from the more rigid Western pen.
A) suggest that Chinese calligraphy is more of a science than an art
This option is incorrect as the author emphasizes the artistic qualities of Chinese calligraphy, particularly its aesthetic expression and movement, rather than suggesting a scientific approach.
B) elaborate on the contrast being made between the Chinese brush and the Western pen
This option is correct because the author uses the seismograph analogy to illustrate the brush's ability to capture minute movements, reinforcing the contrast between the fluidity and precision of the Chinese brush versus the more static nature of the Western pen.
C) indicate that legibility is more important to calligraphy than is aesthetic variety
This option is incorrect as the passage discusses the balance between aesthetic variety and legibility in Chinese calligraphy, rather than prioritizing one over the other.
D) explain why Chinese script can be more difficult to master than alphabetic script
This option is not supported by the passage. While it mentions the challenges faced by Chinese calligraphers, the seismograph analogy does not directly address the difficulty in mastering the script.
E) support the assertion that Chinese calligraphy contains a unique variety of forms
While the passage does mention the unique variety of forms in Chinese calligraphy, this option does not directly relate to the author's use of the seismograph analogy, which focuses more on the brush's precision rather than the variety of forms.
Conclusion
The correct answer, Option B, effectively captures the author's intention to contrast the Chinese brush's precision with the Western pen's limitations. Other options fail to address the primary focus of the analogy, which is on the artistic movement and responsiveness of the Chinese brush, rather than scientific or comparative aspects of mastery or legibility.