Sports Basics — Set 1

Correct Answer: B. Cricket

• **Hat-trick origin** = Term from cricket (19th century) honoring bowler taking 3 wickets in 3 balls; a collection was taken and a literal hat was presented. • **Modern usage** — Now used across all sports to denote three consecutive successes by any player. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Football (A): hat-trick used but not the origin; Hockey (C): uses the term but not original source; Polo (D): doesn't commonly use this term.

Correct Answer: C. 42.195 km

• **Marathon distance** = 42.195 km (26 miles 385 yards); standardized in 1921 internationally. • **1908 origin** — Distance based on the route used during the 1908 London Olympics for consistency. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 40.000 km (A): too short, incorrect standard; 44.150 km (B): overestimates actual distance; 38.250 km (D): much shorter than official length.

Correct Answer: D. Tennis

• **Deuce definition** = Score of 40-40 in tennis (three points each); player must win two consecutive points to win. • **Advantage rule** — First point after deuce = Advantage; second consecutive point = game win; lose next point = back to deuce. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Badminton (A): uses deuce at 20-20 but not officially; Table Tennis (B): uses different scoring terms; Squash (C): has its own scoring system.

Correct Answer: D. Four

• **Polo team size** = 4 players per side on the field (8 total on ground). • **Player roles** — Each player numbered 1-4 based on field position; positions have distinct responsibilities. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Five (A): too many for standard match; Two (B): insufficient for balanced team play; Three (C): needs one more for proper field coverage.

Correct Answer: B. Chess

• **Checkmate meaning** = King is under attack and has no escape; derived from Persian 'Shah Mat' (king is dead). • **Game outcome** — Checkmate immediately ends the game with victory for the attacking player; cannot continue. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Draughts (A): has its own rules without checkmate; Billiards (C): uses different game mechanics; Bridge (D): card game with different winning conditions.

Correct Answer: D. Badminton

• **Thomas Cup** = Premier international men's team competition in badminton; established late 1940s by Sir George Alan Thomas. • **Women's equivalent** — Uber Cup is the corresponding women's championship trophy, held biennially. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Table Tennis (A): has its own world championships; Golf (B): uses different tournament structure; Lawn Tennis (C): has Davis/Fed Cup, not Thomas Cup.

Correct Answer: C. 64

• **Chessboard grid** = 8×8 grid resulting in exactly 64 squares; alternating light and dark colors. • **Starting setup** — Each player places 16 pieces on the board following traditional starting position rules. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 32 (A): only half the actual squares; 72 (B): exceeds grid capacity; 48 (D): fewer squares than standard board.

Correct Answer: B. Football

• **Durand Cup significance** = Asia's oldest football tournament; first held in Shimla in 1888. • **Namesake** — Named after Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary at that time; established to promote the sport. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Cricket (A): has different trophy structure; Hockey (C): has separate cup competitions; Basketball (D): far more modern sport origin.

Correct Answer: A. Archery

• **Bullseye definition** = Center point of target in archery and shooting; hitting it grants maximum points. • **Skill requirement** — Demands high precision, focus, and steady hand control for accurate placement. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Swimming (B): no target-based scoring; Wrestling (C): uses different point system; Gymnastics (D): based on execution, not target accuracy.

Correct Answer: B. 155.9-163 grams

• **Cricket ball weight** = 155.9–163 grams (5.5–5.75 ounces) for men's matches in international standards. • **Ball construction** — Cork core covered with stitched leather; weight ensures consistent play in all conditions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 120-130 grams (A): too light, won't maintain required speed; 140-150 grams (C): below minimum specification; 170-180 grams (D): exceeds maximum allowed weight.