Tips: Identify the opening concern before interpreting the later solutions.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The construction delays affecting the new light rail line.: No light-rail construction delay is raised in the opening.
• The cancellation of several bus routes in Peel Region.: No cancellation of bus routes is raised.
• The lack of bus shelters near schools and colleges.: No shortage of bus shelters is raised.

Correct Answer: Driving instead of taking the bus because it costs less than the bus pass.

Why this is correct: The nephew is considering driving because the bus pass costs more than gas and parking combined.

Tips: Follow the reported person’s proposed action and reason.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Dropping out of college because of transportation costs.: The nephew is not said to be considering leaving college.
• Moving closer to campus to avoid commuting.: No plan to move closer to campus is reported.
• Carpooling with other students to split expenses.: No carpooling plan is reported.

Correct Answer: Ridership dropped during the pandemic, and Metrolinx has not recovered its operating costs.

Why this is correct: The explanation offered is that pandemic ridership losses and unrecovered operating costs have created a revenue gap that the fare increase is intended to close.

Tips: Treat the offered explanation as a report of the speaker’s reading, rather than adding another possible cause.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The provincial government reduced transit subsidies.: A reduction in provincial subsidies is not the explanation given.
• Fuel prices have risen dramatically over the past year.: A dramatic rise in fuel prices is not the explanation given.
• The transit authority is investing in new electric buses.: Investment in new electric buses is not the explanation given.

Correct Answer: Attracting more riders through discounted student passes, as cities like Montreal and Vancouver have done.

Why this is correct: The suggestion is to attract more riders through discounted student passes, using Montreal and Vancouver as examples, rather than making fares more expensive.

Tips: Listen for the alternative introduced by the comparison with raising fares.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Replacing buses with cheaper shuttle services.: Replacing buses with shuttle services is not suggested.
• Charging higher fares during off-peak hours instead.: Higher off-peak fares are not suggested.
• Reducing the number of routes to cut operating costs.: Cutting routes is not suggested as the preferred approach.

Correct Answer: If students switch to cars, it adds to congestion and emissions, which contradicts the regional climate plan.

Why this is correct: The argument is that students switching to cars would increase congestion and emissions, while the regional climate plan aims to increase transit use among young people.

Tips: Listen for words like too or also, which add a new argument.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Transit passes should be made from recycled materials.: The material used to make transit passes is not discussed.
• Public transit companies should offset their carbon footprint.: Carbon-offset payments by transit companies are not proposed.
• Electric buses produce fewer emissions than traditional ones.: The argument compares student travel choices, not electric and traditional buses.

Correct Answer: A pilot program offering a semester-long discounted pass for full-time students, partially funded through federal transit allocation.

Why this is correct: The proposed solution is a semester-long discounted-pass pilot for full-time students at Peel colleges and universities, with part of its funding coming from the federal transit allocation.

Tips: For a proposal question, listen for words like I wonder if, which introduce a suggestion.

Why the other options are wrong:

• A permanent fare reduction for all transit users in Peel Region.: The proposal is a student pilot, not a permanent fare cut for all riders.
• A rebate program where students are reimbursed at the end of each term.: No end-of-term reimbursement system is proposed.
• Free transit for all students under the age of eighteen.: The proposal is a discounted pass for full-time students, not free travel for everyone under eighteen.

Correct Answer: By partnering with the student union at Sheridan College.

Why this is correct: A partnership with the student union at Sheridan College is suggested to strengthen the proposal. The discussion then includes a plan to contact its representative.

Tips: Listen for words like we could also, which add a new idea.

Why the other options are wrong:

• By organizing a public protest at city hall.: No public protest is proposed.
• By hiring a lobbyist to present their case to council.: No lobbyist is proposed.
• By collecting signatures from all residents in the building.: No collection of signatures from every building resident is proposed.

Correct Answer: Draft a letter to the regional councillor for the condo board to review.

Why this is correct: A letter to the regional councillor is discussed, and the next step is to draft it for the condo board’s review.

Tips: Decide what the question asks for and choose the option supported by the discussion.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Organize a community meeting to discuss transit issues.: No community-meeting undertaking is stated.
• Contact Metrolinx directly to negotiate a student discount.: No direct negotiation with Metrolinx is offered.
• Set up a meeting with the college administration.: No college-administration meeting is offered.