Question 163·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Innovation thrives on the spontaneous conversations that occur when people share the same physical space. Video calls schedule discussions, but they rarely reproduce the serendipitous hallway exchange that sparks a breakthrough idea. Remote work, therefore, inevitably weakens a company’s creative output; without desks clustered together, new concepts struggle to emerge.
Text 2
Remote work may alter how ideas are generated, but it does not necessarily dampen creativity. Digital platforms such as shared whiteboards and group chats make it easy for employees to brainstorm across time zones, and recent studies show that distributed teams file just as many patents as in-office groups. The crucial factor is not proximity but intentional collaboration, which can be fostered online as effectively as in person.
Which statement best describes how the argument in Text 2 relates to the argument in Text 1?
For cross-text connection questions, first quickly summarize each text’s main claim in a few words (for example, “Text 1: remote hurts creativity; Text 2: remote can be just as creative”). Then decide how the second text treats the first: does it agree, add details, qualify (partly agree but add limits), or disagree? After that, go to the choices and eliminate any that introduce topics not in the passages (like money or burnout here) or misstate either author’s position. Finally, pick the option that most accurately captures the relationship of ideas—especially whether the second text supports or challenges the first one’s conclusion.
Hints
Clarify Text 1’s position
Ask yourself: What does Text 1 say happens to creativity when people work remotely instead of being in the same physical office?
Clarify Text 2’s position
Now, what does Text 2 say about creativity under remote work—does it say creativity gets worse, stays the same, or can still be strong?
Compare the two viewpoints
Do the two texts seem to agree, disagree, or talk about different problems related to remote work? Focus on whether their main conclusions about creativity match.
Watch for new topics in answer choices
Scan the answer options for ideas that never appear in either text (for example, topics like money or burnout) and rule those out first.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify Text 1’s main claim
Read Text 1 and sum up its central argument in your own words.
Text 1 says that innovation depends on spontaneous, in‑person conversations and that video calls cannot truly replace those chance hallway interactions. Because of this, the author concludes that remote work inevitably weakens a company’s creative output and makes it harder for new ideas to emerge.
So, Text 1’s main idea: distance hurts creativity; remote work reduces innovation.
Identify Text 2’s main claim
Now focus on what Text 2 says about remote work and creativity.
Text 2 says remote work “may alter how ideas are generated” but “does not necessarily dampen creativity.” It talks about digital tools (shared whiteboards, group chats) that help people brainstorm across time zones, and it cites studies showing distributed teams file just as many patents as in‑office groups. Finally, it says the key factor is intentional collaboration, not physical proximity, and that this can be fostered online.
So, Text 2’s main idea: remote work can be just as creative as in‑person work if collaboration is done well.
Determine how the two arguments relate
Compare the main claims:
- Text 1: Remote work inevitably weakens creative output.
- Text 2: Remote work does not necessarily dampen creativity; remote teams can be equally productive and innovative.
Text 2 is not adding a side point or changing the topic; it talks about the same issue—creativity in remote vs in‑person work—but reaches a different conclusion. It also brings in evidence (patent studies, examples of digital tools) to support its position.
So Text 2 is disagreeing with and pushing back against Text 1’s main claim, using concrete evidence.
Match this relationship to the best answer choice
Now connect this relationship to the choices:
- The texts are not talking about money (financial savings), so answers mentioning that are off-topic.
- They are not switching to a totally different problem like burnout.
- Text 2 does not accept that creativity declines with distance; instead, it rejects that idea.
The only choice that correctly shows that Text 2 is directly opposing Text 1’s main argument and backing that opposition with evidence that remote teams can be as innovative as in-office teams is:
D) It challenges Text 1’s main claim by presenting evidence that remote teams can be just as innovative as co-located teams.