In standard professional basketball (such as the NBA), a full game consists of four quarters. For how long, in total playing time, does a standard basketball game last?

Introduction / Context:

Understanding the basic structure and timing of popular sports is a common theme in general knowledge questions. Basketball is played worldwide and has clear rules for game duration. A standard professional game, especially in the NBA, is divided into four quarters. This question asks you to recall the total playing time of such a game in minutes, without including breaks or time outs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to a standard professional basketball game format.
• It mentions four quarters, indicating a full regulation game.
• We focus on scheduled playing time, not including time outs, half time breaks or overtime.
• The options suggest various durations: 35, 55, 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes), 48 minutes and 40 minutes.

Concept / Approach:

In the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is often used as the reference format in general knowledge questions, a full game consists of four quarters of 12 minutes each. Therefore, the total playing time is 4 * 12 = 48 minutes. International basketball under FIBA rules uses four quarters of 10 minutes each (40 minutes total), but exams usually follow the widely known NBA standard when a single correct figure is given among the options. Since 48 minutes fits the four quarters of 12 minutes structure, it is the correct choice here.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Official NBA rule summaries clearly state that regulation time consists of four 12 minute quarters. Even if you are more familiar with international rules (four 10 minute quarters), the presence of 48 minutes as an option directly corresponds to the common NBA format. The other times given do not match common competitive formats for basketball, which confirms that 48 minutes is the most accurate answer in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A (35 minutes): This does not divide evenly into typical quarter lengths and is not a recognised standard for full professional games.

Option B (55 minutes): Also does not match any usual combination of equal quarters in basketball.

Option C (1 hour 15 minutes): This is 75 minutes and is longer than any standard regulation time; at most, you might see extra time due to overtime but not as the base duration.

Option E (40 minutes): While 40 minutes is used in FIBA games (4 * 10 minutes), the original question pattern and options are usually built around the widely known 48 minute NBA standard. Here, 48 minutes clearly stands out as the intended correct answer.

Common Pitfalls:

Candidates sometimes confuse NBA and FIBA rules, especially because both use four quarters but of different lengths. In general knowledge questions, always check whether an option corresponding to 4 * 12 or 4 * 10 minutes is given and read the stem carefully. When the question is generic with no strict mention of FIBA, exams often expect the 48 minute NBA figure. Knowing both formats and their differences helps you handle any variation in exam questions confidently.

Final Answer:

A standard professional basketball game lasts for 48 minutes of playing time.