Tips: For main idea questions, focus on the first speaker and opening lines.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Whether to ban plastic water bottles on campus.: The item debated is single-use cups, not plastic water bottles.
• Whether to install more recycling bins around the university.: Recycling bins are not discussed as the main plan. The focus is on stopping disposable cups.
• Whether to switch to biodegradable food containers in the cafeteria.: Disposable food containers are mentioned as a claimed regulatory concern, not as a proposal to switch to biodegradable containers.

Correct Answer: A ban on single-use cups because disposable cups are a major waste item.

Why this is correct: The strong supporter clearly wants a ban and argues strongly for it. The person on the left cites disposable cups as one of the biggest tracked waste items.

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

Why the other options are wrong:

• Adding a small recycling fee to all drinks.: The person on the left does not propose a recycling fee.
• A gradual reduction in cup sizes.: Changing cup sizes is not the person on the left's proposal.
• Replacing cups with paper bags.: Paper bags are not proposed as cup replacements.

Correct Answer: The cafes also serve hospital staff and visitors who may not carry reusable mugs.

Why this is correct: The person on the right explains that cafes also serve hospital staff and visitors who may not have reusable mugs, including people leaving long shifts.

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

Why the other options are wrong:

• The university is said to lack authority to impose a ban.: Lack of university authority is not the objection stated.
• Cafe revenue would necessarily fall.: Revenue loss is not the stated reason.
• Students would simply bring cups from off-campus cafes.: Students bringing outside cups is not the stated reason.

Correct Answer: A phased approach with exemptions for accessibility and visitors and checks on food-service health regulations.

Why this is correct: A phased approach is suggested, with accessibility and visitor exemptions and checks on food-service health regulations before a future ban. The strong supporter says an immediate ban might cause backlash.

Tips: Listen for words like rather, which often introduce an alternative.

Why the other options are wrong:

• A voluntary cup exchange programme.: A voluntary cup-exchange programme is not proposed.
• Free reusable mugs for all students.: Free reusable mugs for all students are not proposed.
• A campus-wide awareness campaign about waste reduction.: A campus-wide awareness campaign is not the suggested alternative.

Correct Answer: Too many exemptions could weaken the ban.

Why this is correct: The person on the left worries that too many exemptions would water down the proposed ban, although the person on the left recognizes a sudden ban could provoke backlash.

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

Why the other options are wrong:

• Exemptions would require extra staff to verify each customer's eligibility.: Additional eligibility-checking staff are not the person on the left's stated concern.
• Exemptions would make cafes charge visitors higher prices.: Higher visitor prices are not the person on the left's stated concern.
• Exemptions would leave too little time to revise supplier contracts before September.: A September supplier-contract deadline is not mentioned.

Correct Answer: Some settings may require disposable containers.

Why this is correct: The person on the right says some food-service rules require disposable containers in certain settings and wants the rules checked before making promises.

Tips: For reason questions, focus on cause and effect words.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The province has not approved the ban.: Lack of approval is never stated as the reason.
• There are not enough reusable cups available for purchase.: A shortage of reusable cups is not the regulatory concern.
• The student council has not yet voted on the proposal.: Student-council voting is not the reason given.

Correct Answer: UBC and other Canadian universities have gone beyond incentives and are seeing results.

Why this is correct: The person on the left cites UBC and other Canadian universities that have moved beyond incentives and are seeing results as an example supporting stronger action.

Tips: Listen for names of other places or groups, then check what is said about them.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Nearby hospitals have adopted an outright ban with no exceptions.: No hospital ban without exceptions is cited; hospital users are raised as a practical concern.
• Nova Scotia has required every cafe to supply reusable mugs.: The person on the right raises health-rule checks and possible disposable-container requirements, not a universal reusable-mug mandate.
• Campus visitors have voted in favour of an immediate ban.: No campus-visitor vote is reported; possible hospital-side backlash is mentioned.

Correct Answer: People on the hospital side of campus.

Why this is correct: The person on the left acknowledges that jumping straight to a ban might cause backlash, especially from the hospital side of campus.

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

Why the other options are wrong:

• Independent environmental auditors.: Auditors are not identified as this group.
• Alumni and donors.: Alumni and donors are not identified.
• Halifax Regional Municipality.: Municipal officials are not identified.