Question

in the late twentieth century, singapore faced a significant problem with chewing gum litter. gum stuck on sidewalks, seats, and public facilities was messy and required expensive maintenance. the problem intensified when vandals used gum to jam train doors, causing delays and costly repairs. to combat this, the singaporean government implemented a ban on chewing gum in 1992. the ban made it illegal to import, sell, or chew gum in public, aiming to eliminate the root cause of the litter problem. this solution, while harsh, proved effective, as gum - related litter and associated maintenance costs dropped. in 2004, the ban was slightly relaxed, allowing people to chew gum for dental or medical purposes, provided that they dispose of it properly. although the ban successfully tackled gum - related litter and maintenance issues, critics argue that it came at the cost of limiting individual rights. what is the central idea of the passage? singapores gum ban is a strict law that keeps the city clean. singapores gum ban has served as a model for other cities to follow. singapores gum ban has provided economic benefits through increased tourism. singapores gum ban led to other personal rights restrictions.

Explanation:

The passage describes Singapore's gum - ban law, its reasons (gum litter and maintenance issues), its changes (relaxation for medical/dental use), and the criticism (limiting individual rights). The main focus is on how the strict law has kept the city clean.

Answer:

Singapore's gum ban is a strict law that keeps the city clean.