Passage 1: In a recent survey concerning plagiarism among scholars, two University of Alabarma economists asked 1,200 of their colleagues if they believed their work had ever been stolen. A startling 40 percent answered yes. While not a random sample, the responses still represent hundreds of cases of alleged plagiarism. Very few of them will ever be dragged into the sunlight. That's because academia often discourages victims from seeking justice, and when they do, tends to ignore their complaints. 'It's like cockroaches,' says the author of a recent book about academic fraud. 'For every one you see on the floor, there are a hundred behind the stove.' Passage 2: Words belong to the person who wrote them. There are few simpler ethical notions than this, particularly as society directs more and more energy toward the creation of intellectual property. In the past 30 years, copyright laws have been strengthened, fighting piracy has become an obsession with w Hollywood, and, in the worlds of academia and publishing, plagiarism has gone from being bad literary manners to something close to a felony. When a noted historian was recently found to have lifted passages from other historians, she was asked to resign from the board of the Pulitzer Prize committee. And why not? If she had robbed a bank, she would have been fired the next day.
The author quoted in Passage 1 would likely argue that the historian’s having 'lifted passages from other historians' (sentence 4, Passage 2) is:
- A. an example of academic collaboration
- B. deserving of harsh punishment
- C. far from an isolated incident
- D. a comparatively recent problem
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author in Passage 1 likely views the historian's practice of lifting passages as a common occurrence in the field, suggesting that it reflects a broader trend rather than an isolated case. This aligns with option C, emphasizing the prevalence of such practices among historians. Option A misinterprets the act as collaboration, which typically involves mutual consent and acknowledgment, whereas lifting passages often lacks proper attribution. Option B is incorrect as it implies a punitive view that the author does not express. Lastly, option D suggests a recent emergence of this issue, contradicting the author's perspective that it has long been a part of historical writing.
The author in Passage 1 likely views the historian's practice of lifting passages as a common occurrence in the field, suggesting that it reflects a broader trend rather than an isolated case. This aligns with option C, emphasizing the prevalence of such practices among historians. Option A misinterprets the act as collaboration, which typically involves mutual consent and acknowledgment, whereas lifting passages often lacks proper attribution. Option B is incorrect as it implies a punitive view that the author does not express. Lastly, option D suggests a recent emergence of this issue, contradicting the author's perspective that it has long been a part of historical writing.
Other Related Questions
The main idea of Passage 1 is that academic plagiarism is:
- A. becoming a primary concern among committees that review scholars' work
- B. likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported
- C. usually undetected because the stolen materials tend to be seen by few people
- D. evolving into a source of widespread disgust among scholars at universities
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The main idea of Passage 1 emphasizes the prevalence of academic plagiarism and its underreporting, making option B the most accurate choice. This highlights the hidden nature of the issue, suggesting that many cases go unrecognized. Option A focuses on the concern of committees, which is too narrow and does not capture the broader implications of plagiarism. Option C suggests that plagiarism is undetected due to limited visibility, but it overlooks the critical aspect of unreported cases. Option D implies a shift in emotional response among scholars, which, while relevant, does not address the fundamental issue of prevalence and reporting.
The main idea of Passage 1 emphasizes the prevalence of academic plagiarism and its underreporting, making option B the most accurate choice. This highlights the hidden nature of the issue, suggesting that many cases go unrecognized. Option A focuses on the concern of committees, which is too narrow and does not capture the broader implications of plagiarism. Option C suggests that plagiarism is undetected due to limited visibility, but it overlooks the critical aspect of unreported cases. Option D implies a shift in emotional response among scholars, which, while relevant, does not address the fundamental issue of prevalence and reporting.
The primary purpose of the passage is to:
- A. Trace the history of guilds in New Spain
- B. Criticize the Spanish beliefs about manual labor
- C. Describe some particular works of art created in New Spain in the 1600s
- D. Describe the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The primary focus of the passage is on how Spanish attitudes and practices shaped the artistic landscape of New Spain, specifically in painting. This influence is central to understanding the cultural exchange and evolution of art during that period. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not primarily trace the history of guilds, but rather discusses their impact on art. Option B misinterprets the passage's intent; it does not criticize Spanish beliefs but rather examines their influence on art. Option C, while mentioning art, fails to capture the broader context of Spanish influence, which is the main theme of the passage.
The primary focus of the passage is on how Spanish attitudes and practices shaped the artistic landscape of New Spain, specifically in painting. This influence is central to understanding the cultural exchange and evolution of art during that period. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not primarily trace the history of guilds, but rather discusses their impact on art. Option B misinterprets the passage's intent; it does not criticize Spanish beliefs but rather examines their influence on art. Option C, while mentioning art, fails to capture the broader context of Spanish influence, which is the main theme of the passage.
The author mentions the best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club primarily to emphasize Raintree County's:
- A. limited readership
- B. enduring appeal
- C. commercial success
- D. artistic aspirations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The mention of best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club highlights Raintree County's commercial success, showcasing its popularity and significant sales in the literary market. Option A, "limited readership," is incorrect, as the references suggest a wide audience rather than a restricted one. Option B, "enduring appeal," while relevant, does not directly address the immediate financial success indicated by best-seller rankings. Option D, "artistic aspirations," is also off-target, as the focus is more on market performance than on artistic merit. Thus, the emphasis lies squarely on the book's commercial achievements.
The mention of best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club highlights Raintree County's commercial success, showcasing its popularity and significant sales in the literary market. Option A, "limited readership," is incorrect, as the references suggest a wide audience rather than a restricted one. Option B, "enduring appeal," while relevant, does not directly address the immediate financial success indicated by best-seller rankings. Option D, "artistic aspirations," is also off-target, as the focus is more on market performance than on artistic merit. Thus, the emphasis lies squarely on the book's commercial achievements.
Which choice best summarizes the passage?
- A. The narrator receives a ham radio from her father, then begins using it to exchange messages with another child.
- B. The narrator's father is interrupted as he's putting together a ham radio, but later returns to the project and eventually completes it.
- C. The narrator's father brings home the parts needed to build a ham radio, but he and the narrator struggle to assemble them.
- D. The narrator and her father put together a ham radio and get radio licenses, then use the radio to receive messages.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D effectively encapsulates the passage by highlighting both the assembly of the ham radio and the subsequent achievement of obtaining radio licenses, emphasizing the active engagement of both the narrator and her father in communication. Option A is too narrow, focusing solely on the exchange of messages without mentioning the assembly or licensing process. Option B inaccurately suggests that the father is interrupted, which does not capture the collaborative effort in building the radio. Option C implies struggle without acknowledging the successful completion and use of the radio, missing the positive outcome of their efforts.
Option D effectively encapsulates the passage by highlighting both the assembly of the ham radio and the subsequent achievement of obtaining radio licenses, emphasizing the active engagement of both the narrator and her father in communication. Option A is too narrow, focusing solely on the exchange of messages without mentioning the assembly or licensing process. Option B inaccurately suggests that the father is interrupted, which does not capture the collaborative effort in building the radio. Option C implies struggle without acknowledging the successful completion and use of the radio, missing the positive outcome of their efforts.