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Question 1
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 main idea of Passage 1 is that academic plagiarism is:
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) B
Rationale
Academic plagiarism is likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported.
Passage 1 discusses a survey where a significant number of scholars believed that their work had been plagiarized. The passage also highlights that these allegations often go unreported or ignored, suggesting that the actual prevalence of plagiarism is likely higher than formally recorded.
A) Becoming a primary concern among committees that review scholars' work
The passage does not specifically indicate that committees reviewing scholars' work are increasingly concerned about plagiarism. While it discusses the perception of plagiarism among scholars, it does not mention any change in focus or concern in committees that evaluate academic work.
B) Likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported
This is the correct answer. The passage suggests that while 40 percent of scholars surveyed believed their work had been plagiarized, many of these cases are not brought to light due to academia's discouragement of victims seeking justice and ignoring their complaints.
C) Usually undetected because the stolen materials tend to be seen by few people
The passage does not mention that plagiarized materials are seen by few people, nor does it identify this as a reason why plagiarism goes undetected. The reason given for unreported cases is that academia often discourages victims from seeking justice.
D) Evolving into a source of widespread disgust among scholars at universities
The passage does not discuss the emotional reactions of scholars to plagiarism, such as disgust. It focuses on the prevalence of the issue and the lack of reporting, rather than on scholars' feelings towards the issue.
Conclusion
The main idea of Passage 1 is that plagiarism in academia is likely more widespread than it appears, as the number of suspected cases often goes unreported or ignored. The passage does not primarily focus on the responses of review committees, the visibility of stolen material, or the emotional reactions of scholars, making the other options incorrect. This emphasis on unreported plagiarism underscores the potential severity of the issue within academic circles.
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Question 2
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:
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
The author quoted in Passage 1 would likely argue that the historian's having 'lifted passages from other historians' is far from an isolated incident.
The author in Passage 1 compares plagiarism to cockroaches, indicating that for every case brought to light, many more go unnoticed. This suggests that the author views plagiarism as a widespread problem rather than an isolated incident.
A) An example of academic collaboration
There is no indication in the text that the author views plagiarism as a form of academic collaboration. On the contrary, the author seems to view it as a form of theft, with many instances not being reported or addressed.
B) Deserving of harsh punishment
While the author in Passage 1 acknowledges the prevalence of plagiarism, they do not comment on the appropriate response or punishment for such behavior. The belief that plagiarism is deserving of harsh punishment is not explicitly stated.
C) Far from an isolated incident
The author in Passage 1 suggests that plagiarism is a common problem, akin to a cockroach infestation. This metaphor implies that there are likely many more instances of plagiarism occurring than are ever brought to light, making it far from an isolated incident.
D) A comparatively recent problem
The author in Passage 1 does not provide a timeline or suggest that plagiarism is a recent problem. The comparison to cockroaches suggests the author believes it to be an ongoing and pervasive issue.
Conclusion
The author quoted in Passage 1 likens plagiarism to a cockroach infestation, highlighting the belief that it is a widespread and largely unaddressed issue in academia. While they do not comment on the appropriate punishment for plagiarism or suggest it is a recent problem, they do emphasize its prevalence. Therefore, the author would likely argue that a historian lifting passages from other historians' work is far from an isolated incident.
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Question 3
The following sentence has a blank indicating that something has been left out. Beneath the sentence are four words or phrases. Choose the word or phrase that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
The author of Passage 2 would likely respond to the actions attributed to 'academia' in the fifth sentence of Passage 1 ('academia...complaints') by asserting that:
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
Universities increasingly treat plagiarism as a serious offense.
Passage 2 makes clear that the author views plagiarism as an extremely serious issue, likening it to a felony and stating that those found guilty should face significant consequences. This viewpoint directly contrasts the actions of 'academia' in Passage 1, which seems to discourage victims from seeking justice and ignore their complaints.
A) These actions are consistent with the approach common in publishing
This choice is incorrect because the author of Passage 2 does not provide information that supports the argument that the approach in academia is consistent with that in publishing. The author emphasizes the seriousness of plagiarism and the need for consequences, which contrasts the dismissive attitude described in Passage 1.
B) Academic plagiarism has usually been misrepresented in surveys
This choice is incorrect because the author of Passage 2 never discusses the representation of academic plagiarism in surveys. The author's focus is on the consequences of plagiarism and the importance of treating it as a serious offense.
C) Universities increasingly treat plagiarism as a serious offense
This is the correct answer. The author of Passage 2 strongly indicates that plagiarism is a serious offense and implies that it should be treated as such within academia.
D) Colleges should provide amnesty to researchers accused of plagiarism
This choice contradicts the author's stance in Passage 2. The author compares plagiarism to a felony, suggesting that it should be severely penalized, not forgiven or overlooked.
Conclusion
The author of Passage 2 views plagiarism as a serious offense that should face significant consequences, a view that contrasts the actions of 'academia' described in Passage 1. The author does not discuss the representation of plagiarism in surveys or suggest that those accused of plagiarism should be granted amnesty. Therefore, the most likely response from the author of Passage 2 would be that universities are increasingly treating plagiarism as a serious offense.
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Question 4
During the early development of a new idea, scientists behave rather like artists, driven by temperament. We start off with a hunch, a feeling, even a desire that the world be one way, and then we proceed from that presentiment, often sticking with it long after the data suggest we may be leading ourselves and others down a blind alley. What saves us is that experiment acts as the ultimate referee, settling all disputes. No matter how strong our hunch is, at some point we will have to prove it with facts. Otherwise our hunch, no matter how strongly held, will remain just that.
In context, the last sentence of Passage 2 is best understood to:
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
The last sentence of Passage 2 is best understood to emphasize the severity of a transgression.
This sentence makes a comparison between plagiarism and bank robbery to underline the seriousness of the former. The author implies that just as a bank robber would be immediately fired, so should a plagiarist face severe consequences, indicating that plagiarism is a grave transgression.
A) Argue in favor of a restrained response
The last sentence does not argue for a restrained response. Instead, by comparing plagiarism to a serious crime like bank robbery, the author is advocating for strict and immediate consequences for plagiarism.
B) Make light of a difficult situation
The sentence does not make light of the situation. Rather, it uses a strong analogy to stress the seriousness of the offense.
C) Challenge an established belief
The sentence does not challenge an established belief. Instead, it reinforces the belief that plagiarism is a major in\fraction, comparable to a crime.
D) Emphasize the severity of a transgression
The author uses the last sentence to emphasize the severity of the transgression of plagiarism. By comparing it to a bank robbery, a serious crime, the author stresses that plagiarism is a grave offense that should have severe consequences.
Conclusion
The last sentence of Passage 2 emphasizes the severity of plagiarism as a transgression. The author compares it to a serious crime, bank robbery, to highlight the considerable consequences that should follow such an in\fraction. The sentence does not argue for a restrained response, make light of the situation, or challenge an established belief. Hence, the sentence's primary function is to underline the gravity of plagiarism.
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Question 5
Because of the rooted Spanish aristocratic prejudice against commerce and manual labor, the work of painters in the colonies of New Spain was not highly valued in the 1600s. Painting was considered an artisan activity, more physical than intellectual, much like that of tailors or blacksmiths. The persistence of guilds (trade associations), also inherited from Spain and maintaining their vitality overseas, contributed decisively to keeping such feudal beliefs about painting in force. However, the guilds and the workshop system they fostered also set the stage for the development of distinctive works of art determined by local rather than European conditions and specific to the various communities of the Hispanic American world.
Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
The state's decision to relax the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes fits best in the context of the sentence.
Ecologist Frank Ortega's warning clearly indicates a concern that the state's action could potentially lead to a more lax approach in handling toxic waste, hence the use of the term 'relax' in this context.
A) Enforce
Enforcing the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would actually be a positive action that encourages strict adherence to rules rather than promoting sloppiness. Therefore, this option does not fit the context of the sentence.
B) Codify
Codifying refers to the process of setting rules or standards into a systematic code or system, which again would imply an action towards stricter control over the disposal of toxic wastes, not a lax one. Hence, this option is not suitable in this context.
C) Relax
Relaxing the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes suggests a reduction in the strictness of the rules, which could indeed be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated. Thus, this choice perfectly fits the context of the sentence.
D) Publicize
Publicizing the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would simply mean making the rules and regulations more known to the public, which does not necessarily imply a tolerance towards sloppy waste handling. Therefore, this option does not fit the context of the sentence.
Conclusion
In the given sentence, the best fit is the word 'relax'. Ecologist Frank Ortega's warning about the state's decision suggests a concern over a potential lax approach towards the disposal of toxic wastes, which aligns with the meaning of relaxing the standards. The other options, 'enforce', 'codify', and 'publicize', all imply actions that are more towards stricter control or dissemination of information about the rules, which do not fit the context of the sentence.
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