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Information and IdeasVery hardInference weighing two explanations

Information and Ideas practice question

A sports league introduced video review of referees' decisions. In the first season, the number of penalties awarded fell by a fifth. Referees said the reviews made them more careful; players said they committed fewer fouls because they knew they would be caught. Analysis of the footage found that the number of fouls actually committed was unchanged. The most reasonable interpretation is that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. the fall in penalties came from referees' behaviour rather than from players', since the fouls themselves did not decrease.Correct
  2. B. the players' explanation is correct.
  3. C. video review increased fouling.
  4. D. referees awarded more penalties than before.

Answer: A. the fall in penalties came from referees' behaviour rather than from players', since the fouls themselves did not decrease.

Fouls unchanged, penalties down: the referees, not the players, changed.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the players' explanation is correct.
Fewer fouls would show in the footage; there were none fewer.
C. video review increased fouling.
Fouls were unchanged.
D. referees awarded more penalties than before.
Penalties fell by a fifth.

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