Cross-text multiple matching
You are going to read four short texts on the same theme. For questions 1-4, choose the text (A–D) which matches each statement.
The impact of remote work on cities and communities
Compare viewpoints across four writers
city centre shop owner
Remote work has quietly hollowed out weekday life downtown, and cities must adapt fast to survive.
I used to judge a day by the lunchtime queue. Now, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the street can feel like it’s holding its breath. People haven’t stopped buying coffee; they’ve simply moved their routines to neighbourhood cafés and kitchen tables. As a small business, I can’t pretend this is just a temporary wobble. The old rhythm of nine-to-five footfall has been replaced by a patchwork of ‘office days’ that never quite adds up. I don’t blame employees for wanting flexibility, but city centres were built around predictable crowds. If local councils want us to keep our shutters up, they need to stop treating downtown as a commuter machine and start treating it as a place to live. More housing, later opening hours, and events that aren’t aimed solely at tourists would help. Otherwise, we’ll be left with empty pavements and chain stores that can absorb the risk.
Which writer argues that city centres need to be reshaped for residents rather than relying on regular commuter crowds in order for small businesses to survive?
Which writer believes the main issue is not where people work but whether organisations change their working methods, and that offices should be used for specific purposes rather than surveillance?
Which writer highlights that the benefits of hybrid working are unevenly distributed, with some workers gaining flexibility while others face reduced stability, and therefore calls for updated protections and training?
Which writer warns that working from home can either strengthen neighbourhood connections or deepen inequality, depending on whether affordable shared public spaces are available?
0 of 4 answered