(was) spread

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. The fear spread among the crowd.
    1a. The fear was spread among the crowd.
  2. The secret spread among the crowd.
    2a. The secret was spread among the crowd.
    Please correct the above.
2

They’re right, but the versions with ‘was’ focus on the fact that someone was responsible for doing so. Consequently, they don’t really mean the same.