12. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
Answer: D
The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
The passage mentions that some Rutgers players wore scarlet-colored scarves to distinguish themselves from their opponents during the first intercollegiate football game. This indicates a connection between the color scarlet and the Rutgers team, which is reflected in their current nickname, the Scarlet Knights.
A) American football has not changed much since the first intercollegiate football game was played.
This statement is inaccurate because the passage describes how the early form of football closely resembled rugby and highlights the differences in equipment used, such as hats and scarves instead of modern helmets and pads. This suggests significant evolution in the game over time.
B) Most early football players did not know how to throw a football properly.
There is no evidence provided in the passage to support this inference. The text does not discuss the players' skills or their ability to throw a football, making this option unfounded based on the context.
C) Rutgers' current football team is better than Princeton's.
The passage does not provide any information about the current performance of either Rutgers or Princeton's football teams. It only mentions the outcome of the 1869 game, which does not allow for conclusions about present-day team capabilities.
D) The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
This statement is supported by the extract, which describes the use of scarlet scarves by Rutgers players. The historical reference to the color scarlet directly correlates with the team's current nickname, indicating a likely connection.
Conclusion
Option D is the only choice that is directly supported by the information provided in the passage, linking the name Scarlet Knights to the historical clothing worn by Rutgers players. The other options either make unfounded claims or fail to connect meaningfully with the content of the extract. Thus, D is the definitive correct inference.