Question 61·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
The widespread adoption of high-speed internet and video-conferencing tools has enabled many companies to experiment with remote or hybrid schedules. Firms that once considered large headquarters essential now advertise flexible work policies to attract talent, and some have begun subleasing unused floors. Industry analysts note that a company’s brand is increasingly tied to how well it supports employees’ preferred ways of working.
Text 2
Coworking providers report record demand from freelancers and from corporations that want satellite desks rather than long-term leases. Commercial real-estate data show that, despite uncertainty in the traditional office market, short-term, shared spaces are expanding in most major cities. Experts attribute this shift to organizations seeking cost-effective arrangements that can adjust to fluctuating in-person attendance.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
For cross-text questions, first quickly summarize each passage in a short phrase (e.g., “remote work changing office use” and “coworking rising as leases change”). Then ask: what big idea do they share? Go to the answer choices and eliminate any option that (1) appears in only one text, (2) introduces a new idea not mentioned (like productivity), or (3) contradicts specific details (watch for strong words like “do not” or “declining”). The remaining choice that cleanly fits both texts is your answer.
Hints
Focus on what changes in Text 1
In Text 1, what new work options are companies trying, and how does that affect their use of office space (like their headquarters or floors)?
Focus on what changes in Text 2
In Text 2, what kind of workspaces are becoming more popular, and what kind of leases are companies moving away from?
Look for the shared big picture
Ask yourself: What overall trend do both texts describe, and what broad effect does that trend have on how companies use or pay for workspace?
Test each answer against both passages
Eliminate any choice that is supported by only one text, adds ideas that never appear (like productivity), or directly contradicts what the passages say.
Step-by-step Explanation
Summarize Text 1
Focus on what is happening in Text 1:
- High-speed internet and video-conferencing allow companies to try remote or hybrid schedules.
- Companies that used to think big headquarters were essential now promote flexible work policies.
- Some are subleasing unused floors, meaning they are changing how much office space they keep.
- Analysts say a company’s brand is tied to how it supports employees’ preferred working styles.
So, Text 1 shows that remote/hybrid work is leading companies to change their office-space and work policies.
Summarize Text 2
Now look at what is happening in Text 2:
- Coworking providers have record demand from freelancers and from corporations that want satellite desks instead of long-term leases.
- Data show that, even though the traditional office market is uncertain, short-term, shared spaces are expanding.
- Experts say this is because organizations want cost-effective setups that can adjust to changing in-person attendance.
So, Text 2 shows that organizations are moving toward flexible, shared, shorter-term workspace arrangements instead of traditional long leases.
Find the common idea between the two texts
Compare your summaries:
- Text 1: Remote/hybrid work is possible because of technology, and companies are changing how they use office space (subleasing, flexible policies).
- Text 2: Companies and freelancers are turning to coworking and short-term, flexible spaces instead of traditional long-term leases.
Both texts are describing changes in how work is done (more flexibility/remote) and how workspace/real estate is used as a result. Keep this shared idea in mind when you look at the answer choices.
Match the shared idea to the best answer choice
Check each option against both texts:
- A talks about remote workers being less productive, but neither text mentions productivity.
- B says technology does not affect real-estate decisions, but both texts clearly show that workspace and leasing decisions are changing.
- D says coworking is declining because companies return to long-term leases, but Text 2 says coworking demand is at record levels and companies want satellite desks rather than long-term leases.
Only C accurately captures the shared point: shifts toward remote and flexible work arrangements are prompting changes in the workspace and real-estate sectors.