Test incompl/inter-222, Question 4

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #222 [color=blue]“Confusing Words test (5)”, question 4

As Johnny walked up to the plate, the opposing team prayed for a strike or a … ball.

(a) fowl
(b) fall
(c) follow
(d) foul

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #222 [color=blue]“Confusing Words test (5)”, answer 4

As Johnny walked up to the plate, the opposing team prayed for a strike or a foul ball.

Correct answer: (d) foul
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1.What does it mean ‘As Johnny walked up to the plate’ in this context? = As Johnny came up to the ball (football)?
2. I understand the the opoosite team could pray for a foul ball in football but why should the opposite team pray for a strike?

Many thanks.

2

Not football, but baseball. The ‘home plate’ is where the batter receives the pitch from the pitcher, and it’s the final base that you touch when you score a run (it’s the starting and ending point for a batsman).

I don’t know much about the game, but I found this:
There are three ways for a strike to be called on a batter: one is for the batter to swing and miss on a pitch, the other is for the pitcher to put the ball over the plate within the strike zone. The third way is for a batter on the first two strikes to hit a foul ball.
The striker would be called out if he got three strikes.

3

Hi B., Thanks for your big help/hard work ! :):slight_smile: