Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Baseball evolved from a number of different ball-and stick games (paddle ball, trap ball, one-old-cat, rounders, and town ball) originating in England. As early as the American Revolution, it was noted that troops played “baseball” in their free time. In 1845 Alexander Cartwright formalized the New York Knickerbockers’ version of the game: a diamond shaped infield, with bases ninety feet apart, three strikers - you’re - out, batter out on a caught ball, three outs per inning, a nine-man team. “The New York Game” spread rapidly, replacing earlier localized forms. From its beginnings, baseball was seen as a way of satisfying the recreational needs of an increasingly urban - industrial society. At its inception it was it was played by and for gentlemen. A club might consist of 40 members. The president would appoint two captains who would choose teams from among the members. Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with the losers often providing a lavish evening’s entertainments for the winners.
During the 1850 - 70 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism (charging admission), under - the - table payments to exceptional players, and gambling on the outcome of games. By 1868 it was said that a club would have their regular professional ten, an amateur first - nine, and their “muffins” (the gentlemanly duffers who once ran the game). Beginning with the first openly all - salaried team (Cincinnati’s Red Stocking Club) in 1869, the 1870- 1890 period saw the complete professionalization of baseball, including formation of the National Association of Professional baseball players in 1871. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed in 1876, run by business-minded invertors in joint-stock company clubs. The 1880s has been called Major League Baseball’s “Golden Age”. Profits soared, player’s salaries rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums with double-deck stands replaced open fields, and the standard refreshment became hot dogs, soda pop and peanuts. In 1900 the Western League based in the growing cities of the Mis west proclaimed itself the American League.
Which of the following is true of the way the game was played by wealthy gentlemen at its inception?
A. A team might consist of 40 members.
B. The president would choose teams from among the members.
C. They didn’t play on weekend.
D. They might be called “duffers” if they didn’t make the first nine.
Đáp án C.
Key words: true, way, wealthy gentlemen, inception
Clue: Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons: Các trận đẩu diễn ra vào chiều thứ 2 và chiều thứ 5
Phân tích đáp án:
A. a team might consist of 40 members: một đội có thể bao gồm 40 thành viên
B. the president would choose teams from among the members: Trưởng câu lạc bộ sẽ lựa chọn trong số các thành viên để thành lập đội
C. they didn’t play on weekend: họ không chơi vào cuối tuần
D. they might be called “duffers” if they didn’t make the first nine: Họ sẽ bị cho là người ngớ ngẩn nếu họ không ghi được 9 điêm đầu tiên
Đáp án A sai vì dòng 10 có A club might consist 40 members, một câu lạc bộ không phải một đội.
Đáp án B sai vì ở dòng 10 và 11 có The president would appoint two captains who would choose teams from among the members, trưởng câu lạc bộ sẽ chỉ định 2 đội trưởng, đội trưởng sẽ chọn thành viên
Đáp án D sai vì ở dòng 16 có “an amateur first - nine”, họ sẽ bị cho là người nghiệp dư
Vậy đáp án chính xác là C.