Tips: For main idea questions, focus on the first speaker and the problem statement.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Whether to cut down damaged trees and leave the area open.: Storm damage is mentioned, but only as background. The proposed choice is what to plant, not to remove the trees and leave the park open.
• Whether to close Riverbend Park for the winter season.: The discussion is about planting choices, not closing the park for winter.
• Whether to build a new community garden in the park.: A community garden is not proposed; the options under discussion are tree species.

Correct Answer: They offer immediate visual impact, which residents asked for after last winter's storm damage.

Why this is correct: The person on the left values the immediate visual impact residents requested after storm damage.

Tips: Track one speaker and note themes they repeat.

Why the other options are wrong:

• They grow faster than any other tree variety.: Fastest growth of all varieties is not claimed.
• They are easier to maintain and require no pruning.: The person in the centre says ornamentals generally need more pruning and specialized care.
• They are native to Ontario and support local wildlife.: Local-wildlife support is the person on the right's argument for native species.

Correct Answer: Native species support local wildlife and handle Ontario winters better, as the emerald ash borer showed the importance of resilience.

Why this is correct: The person on the right emphasizes wildlife support and winter resilience, using the emerald ash borer losses as a lesson about hardier planting.

Tips: Listen to how the speaker explains the opinion.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Native species bloom earlier in the spring.: Early spring flowering is not the person on the right's argument.
• Native species are cheaper to purchase from local nurseries.: The person on the right does not claim native plants have lower nursery prices.
• Native species are required by a new federal law.: A new federal planting law is not cited.

Correct Answer: It could delay planting past Thanksgiving.

Why this is correct: The person on the left worries that an all-native commitment could delay planting past Thanksgiving and miss the planting window.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• It could prompt objections from an Indigenous community.: No Indigenous-community objection is reported.
• It would require removing existing ornamental trees.: Removal of existing ornamentals is not discussed.
• It would require closing the park permanently.: Permanent closure is not the concern.

Correct Answer: A limited number of ornamentals with the majority being native, while avoiding invasive species.

Why this is correct: They never agree to only ornamentals. The person on the right proposes limited ornamentals with a native majority, avoiding invasive species.

Tips: For condition questions, listen for agreement with rules attached.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Postponing all planting until spring.: The person on the right does not propose postponing all planting.
• Planting only ornamental trees this year and switching to native trees next year.: Planting only ornamentals first reverses the native-majority condition.
• Letting residents vote on which trees to plant.: A resident vote is not proposed.

Correct Answer: More pruning and specialized care.

Why this is correct: The person in the centre says ornamental trees generally need more pruning and specialized care, distinguishing maintenance from purchase costs.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Higher snow-clearing costs on park paths.: The person in the centre identifies tree pruning and specialized care, not snow clearing.
• Annual fees for an invasive-species consultation.: The person in the centre does not identify an annual consultation fee.
• More frequent replacement of damaged benches.: Bench replacement is not the maintenance expense the person in the centre identifies.

Correct Answer: Some Middlesex County nurseries offer bulk discounts because they are overstocked.

Why this is correct: The person in the centre explains that overstocked nurseries are offering bulk discounts, so the upfront cost may be surprisingly low.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The city already owns all the ornamental stock it needs.: Existing city-owned stock is not the explanation; the person in the centre cites nursery bulk discounts.
• A planting grant covers the entire purchase price.: A grant covering the purchase price is not reported.
• Nurseries are donating trees in exchange for advertising.: A donation-for-advertising arrangement is not reported.

Correct Answer: The planting window would be lost and the park would remain bare through winter.

Why this is correct: The person on the left says frozen ground would close the planting window and leave the park bare for winter.

Tips: Follow the scope of the question and distinguish the stated point from other suggestions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• To avoid losing the bulk discounts offered by nurseries.: Nursery discounts are a separate cost point; the person on the left links freezing to losing the planting window.
• To avoid the pruning and specialized care ornamentals need.: Pruning requirements are a maintenance point, not the person on the left's reason for avoiding the freeze.
• To exclude ornamentals entirely from a mixed planting plan.: The person on the left prefers ornamentals; eliminating them is not the person on the left's reason.