Tips: Check each part of a choice against the speaker's own words, not other groups' ideas.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Allow outward growth, and build more densely near transit lines.: Building near transit is the middle-ground idea. The speaker wants sprawl limited, not allowed. This includes building more densely near transit lines and protecting key areas like the Ontario Greenbelt. In my opinion, urban sprawl should be limited, especially when it threatens wetlands and green space.
• Limit outward growth, and build more densely near transit lines.: The speaker does want sprawl limited. But building near transit is the middle-ground idea, not the speaker's own plan. This includes building more densely near transit lines and protecting key areas like the Ontario Greenbelt. I believe we should prioritise redevelopment within existing urban areas and protect the natural environments that keep our communities safe and healthy.
• Allow outward growth, and build larger homes farther from the city.: Larger homes farther from the city is what supporters of new developments want. The speaker wants sprawl limited. Supporters of new developments often point out that building farther from the city centre allows for larger homes at lower prices. In my opinion, urban sprawl should be limited, especially when it threatens wetlands and green space.

Correct Answer: Because newcomers move to the GTA every year.

Why this is correct: These people say sprawl is unavoidable. They explain that the GTA attracts newcomers every year, and families need homes. On one hand, many people argue that urban sprawl is simply unavoidable. The GTA attracts newcomers every year, and families need affordable places to live.

Tips: Listen for the reason a group gives right after it states its view.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Because most first-time buyers prefer suburban life.: The housing report is about what buyers can afford, not what they prefer. Most say they could not afford a home otherwise. According to a recent Ontario housing report, nearly 60% of first-time buyers in the region say they could not afford a home without moving to the suburbs.
• Because most of the GTA's wetlands are already gone.: The wetland loss is a fact the environmental side uses. It is not a reason given for sprawl being unavoidable. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands. On one hand, many people argue that urban sprawl is simply unavoidable.
• Because older plans from the early 2000s allowed it.: Older plans are only mentioned to compare them with newer approaches. Nobody says they made sprawl unavoidable. Compared to older development plans from the early 2000s, newer approaches focus more on conserving natural spaces while still allowing communities to grow. On one hand, many people argue that urban sprawl is simply unavoidable.

Correct Answer: The environmental groups' point that wetlands are disappearing.

Why this is correct: Environmental groups warn that wetlands are disappearing quickly. The report then shows the GTA has lost more than 70% of its original wetlands. Environmental groups warn that wetlands around Toronto, especially in areas like Vaughan and Pickering, are disappearing quickly. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.

Tips: Notice which group is speaking when a report is named. Ask what the report helps them prove.

Why the other options are wrong:

• The supporters' point that families need affordable homes.: The report is about lost wetlands, not housing costs. The affordability point comes from the housing report. According to a recent Ontario housing report, nearly 60% of first-time buyers in the region say they could not afford a home without moving to the suburbs. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.
• The middle-ground point that newer plans protect more nature.: Newer plans come up later, in the middle-ground part. The report measures how many wetlands are already lost. Compared to older development plans from the early 2000s, newer approaches focus more on conserving natural spaces while still allowing communities to grow. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.
• The speaker's point that redevelopment should come first.: The speaker's plan comes at the end. The report is used to support the environmental groups' warning. I believe we should prioritise redevelopment within existing urban areas and protect the natural environments that keep our communities safe and healthy. Environmental groups warn that wetlands around Toronto, especially in areas like Vaughan and Pickering, are disappearing quickly.

Correct Answer: To show what experts warn about when green space is lost.

Why this is correct: The neighbour's basement flooded after green space nearby was built on. The speaker says the story reflects what experts have warned about. A neighbour of mine in Mississauga told me about heavy flooding in her basement after a nearby green space was replaced with a new subdivision. While this is just one story, it reflects what experts have been warning about for years.

Tips: When you hear a personal story, notice what the speaker says it shows.

Why the other options are wrong:

• To show how hard it is to afford a home in the city.: The story is about flooding, not home prices. Affordability is the supporters' point. A neighbour of mine in Mississauga told me about heavy flooding in her basement after a nearby green space was replaced with a new subdivision. The GTA attracts newcomers every year, and families need affordable places to live.
• To show that flooding is now common near new subdivisions.: The speaker calls it just one story. It matches the experts' warning, but it does not show flooding is common. While this is just one story, it reflects what experts have been warning about for years.
• To show a neighbourhood that was built densely near transit.: Building near transit is the middle-ground idea. The neighbour's story is about a green space being replaced. This includes building more densely near transit lines and protecting key areas like the Ontario Greenbelt. A neighbour of mine in Mississauga told me about heavy flooding in her basement after a nearby green space was replaced with a new subdivision.

Correct Answer: As a practical answer to a real problem.

Why this is correct: The speaker presents the supporters' view fairly. From their point of view, building on new land seems a practical answer to a real problem. From this point of view, expanding into undeveloped land seems like a practical solution to a real problem.

Tips: Listen to the words the speaker uses when describing another group's view.

Why the other options are wrong:

• As a practical answer to an exaggerated problem.: The speaker calls the housing problem real. There is no sign the speaker thinks it is exaggerated. From this point of view, expanding into undeveloped land seems like a practical solution to a real problem.
• As a costly answer that ignores the housing need.: The supporters' plan is meant to give lower prices. The speaker does not say it ignores the housing need. Supporters of new developments often point out that building farther from the city centre allows for larger homes at lower prices.
• As a risky answer that experts have warned about.: The experts' warnings come later, about flooding. The speaker does not use them to describe the supporters' argument. While this is just one story, it reflects what experts have been warning about for years. From this point of view, expanding into undeveloped land seems like a practical solution to a real problem.

Correct Answer: Less than 30% of them are still there.

Why this is correct: The GTA has lost more than 70% of its original wetlands. So less than 30% of them are still there. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.

Tips: Work out the answer from what you hear. Check what each figure is about.

Why the other options are wrong:

• About 60% of them are still there.: 60% is the share of first-time buyers in the housing report. It is not about wetlands. According to a recent Ontario housing report, nearly 60% of first-time buyers in the region say they could not afford a home without moving to the suburbs.
• More than 30% of them are still there.: More than 70% are lost, so what is left must be less than 30%, not more. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.
• Less than 30% of them have been lost.: This turns the figure around. More than 70% have been lost, not less than 30%. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has reported that the GTA has already lost more than 70% of its original wetlands.