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Reading answers with explanations

IELTS · Part 3 · Cambridge 20 — Test 3

Invasion of the Robot Umpires: Reading answers

Answers to questions 27–40 (14 in all), each with why it is right.

Sit it first, then check

Read the whole passage and answer in the exam interface, timed as on the day.

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The passage opens

A few years ago, Fred DeJesus from Brooklyn, New York became the first umpire in a minor league baseball game to use something called the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), often referred to as the 'robo-umpire'.Instead of making any judgments himself about a strike*, DeJesus had decisions fed to him through an earpiece, connected to a modified missile-tracking system.The contraption looked like a large black pizza box with one glowing green eye; it was mounted above the press stand. Major League Baseball (MLB), who had commissioned the system, wanted human umpires to announce the calls, just as they would have done in the past.When the first pitch came in, a recorded voice told DeJesus it…

Answers 27–40

  1. 27

    When DeJesus first used ABS, he shared decision-making about strikes with it.

    NO Yes / No / Not Given

  2. 28

    MLB considered it necessary to amend the size of the strike zone when criticisms were received from players.

    YES Yes / No / Not Given

  3. 29

    MLB is keen to justify the money spent on improving the accuracy of ABS's calculations.

    NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given

  4. 30

    The hundred-mile-an-hour fastball led to a more exciting style of play.

    NO Yes / No / Not Given

  5. 31

    The differing proposals for alterations to the baseball bat led to fierce debate on Sword's team.

    NOT GIVEN Yes / No / Not Given

  6. 32

    ABS makes changes to the shape of the strike zone feasible.

    YES Yes / No / Not Given

  7. 33

    F: former roles Summary completion (word list)

  8. 34

    D: subjective assessment Summary completion (word list)

  9. 35

    H: perceived area Summary completion (word list)

  10. 36

    B: numerous disputes Summary completion (word list)

  11. 37

    G: total silence Summary completion (word list)

  12. 38

    What does the writer suggest about ABS in the fifth paragraph?

    B: It may reduce some of the appeal of the game. Multiple choice

  13. 39

    Morgan Sword says that the introduction of ABS

    D: was an attempt to ensure baseball retained a young audience. Multiple choice

  14. 40

    Why does the writer include the views of Noë and Russo?

    C: to indicate that accuracy is not the same thing as enjoyment Multiple choice

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