Correct Answer: keep its promise of advance notice
Passage Reference: The union had earlier indicated it would provide 48 hours’ notice before striking
Why this is correct: Look at the first paragraph. The union had said it would give 48 hours’ notice before a strike. Then service stopped the day after the vote, so it broke that promise.
Tips: When a question asks what someone failed to do, look for something they said they would do. Then check whether it happened.
Why the other options are wrong:
- hold a vote on the draft contract: The union did hold a vote. Its members rejected the draft contract on Friday.
- publish its wage demands in advance: The article never talks about wage demands being published. The problem was the missing notice.
- attract any new union members: New members are never mentioned. The text is about notice and trust.
Correct Answer: lose trust in the union’s word
Passage Reference: From here on, who can trust their signature on a contract?
Why this is correct: Read Munro’s words in the second paragraph. Munro says the union damaged trust with the commission, and even asks, “who can trust their signature on a contract?”
Tips: For a question about what one person thinks, find that person’s name. Then read what that person says closely.
Why the other options are wrong:
- raise wages to end the strike: Munro talks about trust, not about the commission paying more money.
- cancel all weekend bus service: Munro never says weekend buses will be cut.
- hire drivers from other cities: Drivers from other cities are never mentioned. Munro’s worry is lost trust.
Correct Answer: support for fair wages but anger over missing notice
Passage Reference: She supports fair wages but calls the missing notice a breach of public reliance
Why this is correct: Go to the third paragraph. Mei Lin supports fair wages, but she calls the missing notice “a breach of public reliance.” So Mei has two feelings at once.
Tips: Watch for the word “but” in a sentence about someone’s feelings. It often shows a mixed reaction.
Why the other options are wrong:
- unconditional support for the union’s sudden stoppage: Mei’s support has a limit. Mei is upset that riders got no warning.
- opposition to any worker protections or wage increases: Mei says clearly that she supports fair wages.
- indifference to both wages and the missing notice: Mei cares about both things. She backs fair wages and she is upset about the notice.
Correct Answer: end stoppages quickly but can poison long-term bargaining
Passage Reference: back-to-work laws end stoppages quickly yet can poison long-term bargaining
Why this is correct: In the third paragraph, Haddad says back-to-work laws “end stoppages quickly yet can poison long-term bargaining.” That gives one good point and one bad point.
Tips: Words like “yet” and “but” can join two sides of one view. Make sure your choice keeps both sides.
Why the other options are wrong:
- never end stoppages no matter how they are written: Haddad says the opposite. These laws do end stoppages quickly.
- guarantee workers higher overtime pay forever: Overtime comes up only in Diaz’s demands. Haddad does not link it to these laws.
- replace unions with apps for scheduling workers: Apps are never mentioned anywhere in the article.
Correct Answer: a permanent essential-service protocol with clearer notice standards
Passage Reference: wants a permanent essential-service protocol with clearer notice rules negotiated before crises
Why this is correct: Look at the end of the third paragraph. Sandhu wants “a permanent essential-service protocol with clearer notice rules” that are agreed before a crisis.
Tips: When a question asks what someone wants, look for verbs like “wants” or “is drafting.” The words after them usually hold the idea.
Why the other options are wrong:
- no notice rules at all for transit workers: Sandhu wants clearer notice rules, not no rules at all.
- a ban on all bargaining by the transit union: Sandhu wants rules agreed in advance. That needs bargaining, so Sandhu is not trying to ban it.
- cancellation of Monday service until talks resume: Sandhu never talks about cancelling service. In fact, the province wants Monday service back.
Correct Answer: unacceptable and irresponsible
Passage Reference: was “unacceptable” and “irresponsible.”
Why this is correct: In the first paragraph, Mayor Miller calls the reversal “unacceptable” and “irresponsible.” The comment says the writer agrees with the mayor, so those two words fit.
Tips: If the comment says “I agree with” someone, go back to that person in the text. Their exact words often fill the blank.
Why the other options are wrong:
- justified by low pay: The mayor does not excuse the reversal or talk about pay.
- legal but badly timed: The mayor says nothing about whether the stoppage was legal.
- a brave stand for workers: The mayor criticizes the reversal and does not praise it.
Correct Answer: lost a paid shift
Passage Reference: Rider Mei Lin, who works weekends in hospitality, lost a shift when buses vanished
Why this is correct: The third paragraph says Mei Lin works weekends in hospitality and “lost a shift when buses vanished.” The comment’s sister works in a hotel and had the same problem.
Tips: When the comment compares someone to a person in the text, find that person. Then read what happened to them.
Why the other options are wrong:
- walked the whole way to work: The text never says Mei walked to work. It says she lost a shift.
- worked a double shift instead: Mei lost a shift and did not work extra hours.
- got a lift from her manager: Nobody in the article gets a lift from anyone.
Correct Answer: relatively friendly to labour
Passage Reference: the union damaged trust with a relatively labour-friendly commission and council
Why this is correct: Go back to Munro in the second paragraph. Munro calls the commission and council “relatively labour-friendly.”
Tips: Look for describing words placed right before a noun. They often tell you how someone sees a group.
Why the other options are wrong:
- openly hostile to unions: Munro says the opposite and calls them fairly friendly to labour.
- controlled by the province: The province prepared a back-to-work law, but nobody says it controls the commission.
- about to be replaced: Nobody in the article says the commission or council will be replaced.
Correct Answer: staffing strain and fatigue are real pressures
Passage Reference: members faced pressure after years of staffing strain
Why this is correct: In the second paragraph, Diaz says members faced pressure “after years of staffing strain.” At the end, Diaz also wants talks on fatigue and overtime.
Tips: When the comment says a person “may be right,” reread that person’s reasons. The blank usually matches one of them.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the union gave plenty of warning: Diaz does not say the union gave notice. In fact, Diaz says the sudden action came from anger.
- riders caused the dispute themselves: Diaz says riders deserve better conditions for workers, so riders are not blamed.
- wages are the only real issue: Diaz points to staffing, fatigue and overtime. Wages are not her only point.
Correct Answer: an apology for the missing notice
Passage Reference: Munro still wants an apology on notice
Why this is correct: The last paragraph says, “Munro still wants an apology on notice.” The comment agrees with Munro about what riders are owed.
Tips: Short sentences in a final paragraph often sum up what each person wants. Match the name in the comment to that line.
Why the other options are wrong:
- free fares for a month: Nobody in the article asks for free fares.
- a seat on the union board: A seat on the union board is never mentioned.
- a refund from the city: A refund is never mentioned. Munro asks for an apology.
