20. The author quoted in Passage 1 would likely argue that the historian's having 'lifted passages from other historians' (sentence 4, Passage 2) is
Answer: C
The historian's having 'lifted passages from other historians' is far from an isolated incident.
The author in Passage 1 suggests that instances of plagiarism in academia are widespread, indicating that the problem is not unique to any one individual. This aligns with the idea that the historian’s actions are part of a larger pattern of misconduct in the academic community.
A) an example of academic collaboration
This option is incorrect because the act of lifting passages without proper attribution does not constitute collaboration; rather, it represents a violation of ethical standards in academia. Collaboration implies mutual agreement and acknowledgment, which is absent in cases of plagiarism.
B) deserving of harsh punishment
While the author may believe in the seriousness of plagiarism, this option does not capture the essence of their argument in Passage 1. Instead of focusing on punishment, the author emphasizes the prevalence of such incidents and how victims often remain silent, suggesting a systemic issue rather than just individual accountability.
C) far from an isolated incident
This option correctly reflects the author's viewpoint in Passage 1, which highlights that a significant percentage of scholars believe their work has been plagiarized. The metaphor comparing visible instances of plagiarism to cockroaches reinforces the idea that many more cases go unnoticed, indicating a widespread problem rather than isolated occurrences.
D) a comparatively recent problem
This is incorrect because the author does not imply that plagiarism is a new issue. Instead, the discussion focuses on the long-standing nature of the problem and the systemic discouragement of reporting it, suggesting that it has been prevalent for some time.
Conclusion
The correct answer, C, effectively captures the author's assertion that plagiarism is a common issue within academia, rather than an isolated event. Options A, B, and D fail to accurately represent the scope of the problem as described in the extracts, which emphasize the systemic nature of plagiarism and the silence surrounding it.