OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
New technology now makes it feasible for computer call-in help desk services to route calls they receive to almost anywhere, theoretically allowing employees to work from home, without the need for a daily commute.
The adoption of this policy would be most likely to increase productivity if employees did not _____________.(A) commute from a distance of fewer than 10 miles
(B) commute by car as opposed to by rail
(C) live in areas with dependable phone service
(D) need to consult frequently with each other to solve callers’ problems
(E) have more than one telephone line
D The tricky part of this inference question is dealing with the “did not.” Choice A is outside the scope of the argument because eliminating such a short commute would presumably not have much effect on productivity. Choice B is also outside the scope since the method of the commute employees would no longer have to make is probably irrelevant. If employees did not live in areas of dependable phone service, that would likely decrease productivity, so that eliminates C. For similar reasons, if employees did not have more than one phone line, it might decrease productivity since they would presumably get some personal calls at their place of residence. Choice D is best, because if employees needed to consult each other to answer callers’ questions, they would be at a distinct disadvantage if they were all in separate locations.