Question 8·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Over the past few years, many companies have adopted hybrid schedules to recruit talent across regions. Instead of rows of assigned desks, offices are being redesigned into flexible spaces for collaboration, with reservable team rooms and improved video-conferencing setups. At the same time, employers are investing in secure cloud platforms and project-tracking tools so work can move seamlessly across time zones.
Text 2
For many employees, flexibility has reshaped daily routines: hours once spent commuting are now available for caregiving, exercise, or focused work. Seeking community and structure outside a traditional headquarters, some remote workers join co-working spaces or neighborhood hubs. Local businesses near residential areas report steadier midday patronage, and workers increasingly rely on high-speed home internet and scheduling apps to coordinate with colleagues.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
For cross-text agreement questions, write a one-sentence main point for each text, then find the broad idea that appears in both summaries. Eliminate choices that (1) overgeneralize beyond the texts (e.g., claims about everyone/every industry) or (2) make predictions not supported by either passage. The correct answer will be a statement that both texts clearly support at a general level.
Hints
Summarize each text separately
In one short sentence for each passage, state what is changing and what effects that change is having.
Look for the overlap between the texts
What do both texts describe changing (spaces, routines, tools, services) as work becomes more hybrid/remote?
Watch for overgeneralizations or unsupported predictions
Be cautious with choices that claim something applies to everyone equally or that make a strong future prediction not stated in the texts.
Demand support from both texts
For each choice, ask: Does Text 1 support it? Does Text 2 support it? If either answer is no, eliminate it.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the main point of Text 1
Text 1 says companies are adopting hybrid schedules and, as a result, are redesigning offices for collaboration (flexible spaces, reservable rooms, better video conferencing) and investing in tools (secure cloud platforms and project-tracking) to support work across regions and time zones.
Understand the main point of Text 2
Text 2 says flexibility is changing employees’ routines and where they work day to day (home, co-working spaces, neighborhood hubs). It also describes increased reliance on supporting services and tools like local businesses, high-speed home internet, and scheduling apps.
Identify what both texts have in common
Both passages emphasize that changing work locations and schedules leads to broader changes in:
- physical workspaces (offices, co-working spaces, neighborhood hubs)
- supporting tools/services (video conferencing, cloud platforms, tracking tools, internet, scheduling apps, nearby businesses)
So the shared idea is about flexible work reshaping the broader work ecosystem that makes work possible.
Eliminate choices that aren’t supported by both texts
- The claim that changes are mainly about cutting costs/shrinking staff is not supported; Text 1 emphasizes collaboration and enabling work across locations.
- The claim that co-working spaces will replace traditional offices for most workers is a strong prediction neither text makes.
- The claim that tools and workplace design are mostly staying the same contradicts both texts’ descriptions of redesigns and increased reliance on tools/services.
Therefore, the best supported statement is: “As work becomes more flexible, both employers and employees are relying on new spaces, technologies, and local services to make that work possible.”