English Language Proficiency Test : Vocabulary
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Example Question #11 : Vocabulary
"His right name was Frank X. Farrell, and I guess the X stood for 'Excuse me.' Because he never pulled a play, good or bad, on or off the field, without apologizin' for it.
'Alibi Ike' was the name Carey wished on him the first day he reported down South, O' course we all cut out the 'Alibi' part of it right away for the fear he would overhear it and bust somebody. But we called him 'Ike' right to his face and the rest of it was understood by everybody on the club except Ike himself."
Adapted from "Alibi Ike" by Ring Lardner (1915)
Which word from the text best supports why Frank X. Farell's nickname was "Alibi Ike?"
overhear
reported
bust
fear
apologizin'
apologizin'
To alibi is to offer an excuse or defense. The first sentence indicates that Frank is always "apologizin'" for all of his actions on the field. An apology is when someone acknowledges an offense or failure, which seems likely to come with a defense or alibi in this case.
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