Question 37·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
A recent meta-analysis by economists at Hillcrest University concludes that teleworking can boost overall productivity by about 8% while significantly lowering companies’ overhead costs. The researchers also note that fewer daily commutes could translate into a meaningful reduction in urban traffic congestion and greenhouse-gas emissions. Given these combined workplace and environmental upsides, the report characterizes the expansion of remote work as “an opportunity organizations should eagerly seize.”
Text 2
Sociologist Mira Patel, commenting on the same meta-analysis, cautions that remote work is “no cure-all.” Patel points out that employees who seldom meet face-to-face often report feelings of isolation and weakened team cohesion—factors that can erode long-term job satisfaction. She suggests that before applauding teleworking as an unqualified success, companies should develop programs that preserve the social benefits of in-person collaboration.
Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the meta-analysis on teleworking?
For cross-text questions, first quickly label each text’s main attitude with 2–3 words (for example, “strongly positive, benefits” for Text 1 and “cautious, warns of drawbacks” for Text 2). Then, when you read the answer choices, check that both halves match these labels and the specific content (productivity vs. social vs. environmental, etc.). Eliminate any option where even one clause contradicts a text or introduces something not mentioned, and choose the remaining option that accurately captures the contrast between the two authors.
Hints
Identify each author’s overall tone
Ask yourself: Does each author sound mostly positive, mostly negative, or mixed about teleworking? Pay attention to phrases like "opportunity organizations should eagerly seize" and "no cure-all."
Separate what each text focuses on
For Text 1, list what kinds of effects (productivity, costs, environment, social, etc.) are mentioned. For Text 2, list the main concerns or issues raised. Are they the same topics?
Test each answer against both texts
For each choice, check whether both halves accurately describe Text 1 and Text 2. If any part of a choice contradicts what a text actually says (for example, about productivity, environment, or replacing offices), eliminate that choice.
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify the main view in Text 1
Look at the key phrases in Text 1: it says teleworking can "boost overall productivity," lower costs, and reduce traffic and emissions. The report calls remote work "an opportunity organizations should eagerly seize." This language is clearly strongly positive and focuses on benefits/advantages of teleworking.
Clarify the main view in Text 2
In Text 2, the sociologist calls remote work "no cure-all" and talks about isolation, weakened team cohesion, and how these can hurt long-term job satisfaction. She says that before calling teleworking an "unqualified success," companies should protect the social benefits of in‑person work. This is a cautious view that points out potential problems or drawbacks.
Summarize the difference in attitudes
Put the two views side by side in your own words:
- Text 1: optimistic, highlighting positive outcomes and encouraging organizations to adopt telework.
- Text 2: warning that there are important downsides and that companies should not celebrate telework without addressing them. The key contrast is between enthusiastic emphasis on benefits and reservations about drawbacks.
Match that difference to an answer choice
Now check each option to see which one correctly describes this contrast. Only choice D says that the author of Text 2 "voices reservations about potential drawbacks" while the author of Text 1 "emphasizes its projected advantages," which exactly matches the cautious tone of Text 2 and the enthusiastic tone of Text 1. So the correct answer is D) The author of Text 2 voices reservations about potential drawbacks of teleworking, whereas the author of Text 1 emphasizes its projected advantages.