18. The main idea of Passage 1 is that academic plagiarism is:
Answer: B
Academic plagiarism is likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported.
The main idea of Passage 1 emphasizes that a significant number of scholars believe their work has been plagiarized, yet many instances go unreported. This suggests that the issue of plagiarism is more prevalent than what is visible or acknowledged.
A) becoming a primary concern among committees that review scholars' work
This option is incorrect because Passage 1 does not indicate that committees are actively addressing or prioritizing plagiarism. Instead, it highlights that victims often feel discouraged from seeking justice and that their complaints are frequently ignored, suggesting a lack of concern at the committee level.
B) likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported
This option is correct, as the passage states that 40 percent of scholars felt their work had been stolen, and it notes that many cases will never come to light. This directly supports the idea that plagiarism is underreported, making it appear less common than it truly is.
C) usually undetected because the stolen materials tend to be seen by few people
While this option may seem plausible, it is not the primary focus of Passage 1. The passage emphasizes that many cases go unreported due to discouragement rather than undetection based on visibility. Thus, this option does not capture the essence of the main idea.
D) evolving into a source of widespread disgust among scholars at universities
This option is incorrect as the passage does not mention disgust among scholars regarding plagiarism. The focus is more on the prevalence and the systemic issues surrounding reporting and addressing such cases, rather than emotional reactions from scholars.
Conclusion
In summary, Option B is the only choice that accurately reflects the main idea of Passage 1, which highlights the underreported nature of academic plagiarism. The other options either misinterpret the passage's message or fail to align with the documented experiences of scholars regarding plagiarism.