Test 1
Part 1
For questions 1 - 2, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Esto es una muestra. Cada test del libro tiene ocho huecos; aquí te dejamos dos para que pruebes el formato. Los otros seis van ya resueltos dentro del texto.
Example:
0. A historic B antique C traditional D vintage
Example answer: C
The End of Nine-to-Five
The (0) ____ office environment is undergoing a significant transformation. Over the past decade, flexible working arrangements have (1) ____ ground, driven partly by employees’ demand for greater control over where and when they work. Yet the most successful hybrid policies stop (2) ____ of dictating exactly where every task must be carried out; instead, they set clear expectations about availability and results.
Even so, some managers still feel the need to keep a close eye on staff they cannot see in person. Meanwhile, software providers have cashed in on the trend, developing tools designed to make collaboration across locations less cumbersome. Early fears that remote teams would inevitably become less productive have gradually been dispelled as evidence has accumulated. Many employees have shown themselves perfectly capable of managing their workload without constant supervision.
There are limits, however. Intrusive monitoring systems can quickly fall foul of regulators, especially when employers collect more personal data than they genuinely need. Ultimately, not every manager is cut out for leading a distributed team, but that is hardly an argument for abandoning flexible work altogether.
Even so, some managers still feel the need to keep a close eye on staff they cannot see in person. Meanwhile, software providers have cashed in on the trend, developing tools designed to make collaboration across locations less cumbersome. Early fears that remote teams would inevitably become less productive have gradually been dispelled as evidence has accumulated. Many employees have shown themselves perfectly capable of managing their workload without constant supervision.
There are limits, however. Intrusive monitoring systems can quickly fall foul of regulators, especially when employers collect more personal data than they genuinely need. Ultimately, not every manager is cut out for leading a distributed team, but that is hardly an argument for abandoning flexible work altogether.
| 1 A gained | B consolidated | C amassed | D earned |
| 2 A clear | B devoid | C wide | D short |
