Tips: A choice can be half right. Check every part of it against what the speaker says.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Treat housing and parks as equally urgent, and add green space in later projects once the crisis eases.: This gets both parts wrong. The speaker ranks housing above parks and wants green space inside new housing developments. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, but housing is the more urgent need right now. That said, I believe cities should require new housing developments to include some form of green space.
• Treat housing and parks as equally urgent, and require new housing developments to include some green space.: The speaker does say the truth lies in the middle. But the speaker still calls housing the more urgent need, so the two are not equal. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, but housing is the more urgent need right now.
• Treat housing as more urgent for now, and add green space in later projects once the crisis eases.: The speaker does not want green space to wait for later projects. New housing developments should be required to include it. That said, I believe cities should require new housing developments to include some form of green space.

Correct Answer: That dense housing will remove existing green spaces and make cities crowded and unpleasant.

Why this is correct: The critics fear that dense housing will remove existing green spaces. They also fear cities will become crowded and unpleasant. Some critics of the housing-first approach worry that dense housing will remove existing green spaces. They fear cities will become crowded and unpleasant places to live.

Tips: Check each part of a choice against the words you hear. One wrong detail makes the whole choice wrong.

Why the other options are wrong:

• That dense housing will leave no room for new parks and make cities crowded and unpleasant.: The critics talk about losing green spaces that already exist. They do not talk about having no room for new parks. Some critics of the housing-first approach worry that dense housing will remove existing green spaces.
• That dense housing will remove existing green spaces and make cities hotter in summer.: Summer heat comes up when supporters list the benefits of parks. The critics fear crowded, unpleasant cities, not hotter ones. Supporters also point out that green spaces help the environment by reducing heat in the summer and managing rainwater. They fear cities will become crowded and unpleasant places to live.
• That dense housing will leave no room for new parks and make cities hotter in summer.: Both parts are wrong. The critics fear losing existing green spaces and living in crowded, unpleasant cities. Some critics of the housing-first approach worry that dense housing will remove existing green spaces. They fear cities will become crowded and unpleasant places to live.

Correct Answer: As a case that is becoming common, used to show how urgent the housing problem is.

Why this is correct: Right after the story, the speaker says stories like this are becoming more common. The speaker says they show how urgent the housing issue is. Last winter, a neighbour of mine in Mississauga had to move out of her apartment because the rent increased by several hundred dollars a month. Stories like this are becoming more common, and they highlight how urgent the housing issue is.

Tips: Listen for how the speaker comments on a personal story, not only for the story itself.

Why the other options are wrong:

• As a still unusual case, used to support the official finding about wages.: Both parts are wrong. The speaker calls such stories more common, and uses the story to show urgency, not to support the wage finding. Stories like this are becoming more common, and they highlight how urgent the housing issue is.
• As a case that is becoming common, used to support the official finding about wages.: The wage finding comes from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The speaker links the story to urgency, and the story says nothing about wages. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has reported that housing costs have risen faster than wages in most major cities. Stories like this are becoming more common, and they highlight how urgent the housing issue is.
• As a still unusual case, used to show how urgent the housing problem is.: The speaker does not call the story unusual. The speaker says stories like this are becoming more common. Stories like this are becoming more common, and they highlight how urgent the housing issue is.

Correct Answer: It is used to answer the critics of the housing-first approach.

Why this is correct: Critics fear dense housing will remove green space. Others call this too simple, and Dr. Lévesque shows how housing can include green areas. Some critics of the housing-first approach worry that dense housing will remove existing green spaces. However, others point out that this is too simplistic. cities can design housing projects that include shared courtyards, rooftop gardens, and nearby small parks This suggests the choice does not have to be one or the other.

Tips: When an expert is quoted, notice which earlier point the expert's idea is linked to, and how.

Why the other options are wrong:

• It is used to support the critics of the housing-first approach.: Dr. Lévesque does not back the critics. The point shows that housing projects can include courtyards, gardens and small parks. However, others point out that this is too simplistic. cities can design housing projects that include shared courtyards, rooftop gardens, and nearby small parks
• It is used to answer the housing cost finding reported earlier.: The cost finding comes from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Dr. Lévesque replies to the critics, not to that finding. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has reported that housing costs have risen faster than wages in most major cities. Some critics of the housing-first approach worry that dense housing will remove existing green spaces.
• It is used to support the housing cost finding reported earlier.: The cost finding is reported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Dr. Lévesque is an urban planner who talks about housing design. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has reported that housing costs have risen faster than wages in most major cities. cities can design housing projects that include shared courtyards, rooftop gardens, and nearby small parks

Correct Answer: Warm, because it fits Canadians' pride in their connection to nature.

Why this is correct: The speaker says Canadians are proud of their connection to nature. Because of this, the park argument feels especially appealing to the speaker. As Canadians, we often pride ourselves on our connection to nature, so this argument feels especially appealing.

Tips: Listen for words that show feeling, and notice what reason the speaker connects to them.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Doubtful, because it is based on a survey from only one city.: The speaker reports the Toronto survey without any doubt about it. The speaker calls the park argument especially appealing. According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life. As Canadians, we often pride ourselves on our connection to nature, so this argument feels especially appealing.
• Warm, because it is backed by a survey of city residents.: The speaker does report a survey. But the speaker links the appeal of the argument to Canadians' pride in nature, not to the survey. According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life. As Canadians, we often pride ourselves on our connection to nature, so this argument feels especially appealing.
• Doubtful, because parks cost money that cities need for housing.: Limited budgets are part of the debate, and the speaker does put housing first. But the speaker calls the park argument especially appealing. whether Canadian cities should invest more in public green spaces or focus their limited budgets on affordable housing As Canadians, we often pride ourselves on our connection to nature, so this argument feels especially appealing.

Correct Answer: In Toronto, a little over three in ten residents surveyed did not say a nearby park improved their quality of life.

Why this is correct: The survey was run by the City of Toronto. Nearly 70% said a nearby park helped, so a little over 30% did not say this. According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life.

Tips: Work out the answer from what you hear. Check both the place and the amount.

Why the other options are wrong:

• In Vancouver, a little over three in ten residents surveyed did not say a nearby park improved their quality of life.: Vancouver is only named as a fast-growing city. The survey came from the City of Toronto. cities like Toronto and Vancouver are growing quickly According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life.
• In Toronto, a little under three in ten residents surveyed did not say a nearby park improved their quality of life.: Nearly 70% means a little less than 70%. So the share who did not say this is a little over 30%, not under. According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life.
• In Vancouver, a little under three in ten residents surveyed did not say a nearby park improved their quality of life.: This gets both parts wrong. The survey was from Toronto, and a little over three in ten did not report the benefit. According to a 2022 City of Toronto survey, nearly 70% of residents said having a park within walking distance improved their overall quality of life.