Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

When the film opens, the Oakland A's have just lost a game to the New York Yankees. And they're about to lose three of their best players to richer teams. Beane is sad, because he doesn't have enough money to compete with the big teams. But then he meets Peter Brand, a young Yale graduate and statistics expert.

Brand introduces Beane to sabermetrics---a controversial system for measuring how good a baseball player is. It applies computer-generated( )statistical analysis to work out a player's ability. It's completely different from the more traditional methods of talent spotting that all the other teams are using. With sabermetrics, Beane begins buying players other teams aren't interested in. And he manages to build a winning team with very little money.

Monayball is based on a true story, but characters have combined, dates have been changed and some events have been invented all for dramatic effect. For example, Peter Brand, Beane's assistant, never existed. However, he is largely based on Beane's former assistant Paul DePodesta. Though there are these changes, critics think that Brad Pitt's portrayal of Beane is _

One journalist wrote, " Pitt imitates Beane's gestures and speech patterns."

Beane's use of sabermetrics changed baseball. Now many teams rely on the method. But this form of complex computer-generated statistical analysis is used in business too. And these days, many businesses use sabermetrics to help plan their business strategies.

But Moneyballisn't just about facts and figures. Billy Beane himself was once a major-league baseball player. At the start of his career people expected big things from him. But he didn't achieve what is expected of him and in 1990 he retired with an average record. This past failure always returns to his mind, and the film is also about whether Beane will finally achieve success in his life.

The critics love Moneyball. One called it " the most soulful of baseball movies", another described it as a " home run". And most agree it's on track for some major awards.

1. What movie is this?
2. Is it based on a true story?
3. How does the movie start?
4. What are they about to lose?
5. To whom?
6. Why is Beane sad?
7. Who does he meet to change that?
8. Who is Peter?
9. Did the critics like this movie?
10. What did Beane use to change baseball?
11. Do other teams use it now?
12. What did Beane do before this?
13. What was expected of him?
14. Did he accomplish that?
15. When did he retire?
16. Did he have a good record?
17. Who plays Beane?
18. Do they think he did a good portrayal?
19. Where the characters and dates accurate to the real story?
20. Why did they change things?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. Monayball
2. Yes
3. the Oakland A's have just lost a game to the New York Yankees
4. three of their best players
5. richer teams
6. because he doesn't have enough money to compete with the big teams
7. Peter Brand
8. a young Yale graduate and statistics expert.
9. Yes
10. sabermetrics
11. Yes
12. a major-league baseball player.
13. eople expected big things from him
14. No
15. 1990
16. No
17. Brad Pitt
18. Yes
19. No
20. dramatic effect.

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER IX

A DOSE OF TAR AND FEATHERS

"Make some kind of a light--I can't see a thing," said Dan Baxter, as the little party came to a halt in front of a half tumbled down building.

Stumpy Nuggs carried matches, and quickly lit a bit of candle which he produced from one of the pockets of his ragged attire.

They entered the dwelling, forcing Tom to accompany them. This done they tied the young cadet fast to an iron ring set in the huge old fashion fireplace.

"Now we'll turn out his pockets," said Longback, and this was quickly done. To the tramps' chagrin Tom carried no watch, but had with him two dollars in money.

"Now we'll take dat ring," said Nuggs, pointing to the article on Tom's little finger.

"So I have fallen in with a lot of thieves, eh?" said the boy. "Well, if you want the ring you can fight for it."

"Shut up!" roared Dan Baxter, and struck him across the mouth, causing Tom's under lip to bleed. The boy tried to retaliate, but his bonds held him fast.

While one tramp held his hand the other possessed himself of the ring. The ring contained an opal of which Tom was very proud, and to part with the article made the young cadet feel pretty bad.

"You will rue this night's work," he muttered. "I'll see you in prison for it."

"Don't waste your breath in threatening," cried Baxter.

"All right, Baxter, wait and see. I'll put you where your father is."

1. What did Stumpy carry?
2. What did he do with them?
3. Why he do that?
4. Was he a thief?
5. What did he steal?
6. From who?
7. Was tom an old man?
8. What age is he then?
9. Was he tied up?
10. Did he sustain any injuries?
11. What caused that?
12. Did he escape?
13. Were there any threats?
14. What were they?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. matches
2. lit a candle
3. Make some light said Dan
4. yes
5. ring
6. Tom
7. No
8. unknown
9. Yes
10. his lip bled
11. Dan struck him across the mouth
12. No
13. yes
14. I'll see you in prison