Flexible scheduling allows employees to choose their work hours within certain limits and is widely believed to increase productivity. Some consultants argue that because a company’s goal is to maximize productivity, it should implement flexible schedules whenever possible. However, this recommendation may not always serve that goal. Companies that depend on close coordination among team members often require synchronized work hours to function efficiently. Without that, delays and communication breakdowns can occur, undermining team effectiveness. Therefore, the very goal of maximizing productivity may, in some cases, best be served by maintaining fixed work schedules.
The passage explains that flexible work hours is believed to increase productivity and as company's goal is to maximize productivity some consultants argue for flexible hours. However, it is always possible that team which require synchronized working hours may undermine team effectiveness and therefore require fixed schedules to maximize options
Clearly Goal is maximizing productivity and recommendation is to have flexible hours.
In the argument above, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles? Lets analyze
A. The first states a recommendation based on a widely accepted goal; the second presents a consideration that qualifies that recommendation.
The first boldface is an recommendation for the maximizing productivity which is the goal. The second is a counter to the first recommendation. Lets keep this option
B. The first expresses a general claim supported by some experts; the second presents the main conclusion of the argument.
Second bold face is not main conclusion. Eliminate
C. The first presents a popular approach that the argument seeks to defend; the second provides evidence in support of that approach.
The second doesn't provide support to first argument. Eliminate
D. The first identifies a goal and a strategy for achieving it; the second challenges the validity of that goal.
The second doesn't challenge the validity of goal second also says for maximizing the productivity. Eliminate
E. The first presents a conclusion that the argument later supports with evidence; the second is a prediction based on that conclusion.
Second is not a prediction Eliminate
From above correct answer is A.