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14 Aug 2025, 06:58
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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.
In the argument above, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first states a recommendation based on a widely accepted goal; the second presents a consideration that shows a limitation of that recommendation.
B. The first expresses a general claim supported by some experts; the second presents the main conclusion of the argument.
C. The first presents a popular approach that the argument seeks to defend; the second provides evidence in support of that approach.
D. The first identifies a goal and a strategy for achieving it; the second challenges the validity of that goal.
E. The first presents a conclusion that the argument later supports with evidence; the second is a prediction based on that conclusion.
In the argument above, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first states a recommendation based on a widely accepted goal; the second presents a consideration that shows a limitation of that recommendation.
B. The first expresses a general claim supported by some experts; the second presents the main conclusion of the argument.
C. The first presents a popular approach that the argument seeks to defend; the second provides evidence in support of that approach.
D. The first identifies a goal and a strategy for achieving it; the second challenges the validity of that goal.
E. The first presents a conclusion that the argument later supports with evidence; the second is a prediction based on that conclusion.
14 Aug 2025, 06:58
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Official Solution:
Flexible scheduling allows employees to choose their work hours within certain limits and is widely believed to increase productivity. [b]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.
In the argument above, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
[/b]
A. The first states a recommendation based on a widely accepted goal; the second presents a consideration that shows a limitation of that recommendation.
B. The first expresses a general claim supported by some experts; the second presents the main conclusion of the argument.
C. The first presents a popular approach that the argument seeks to defend; the second provides evidence in support of that approach.
D. The first identifies a goal and a strategy for achieving it; the second challenges the validity of that goal.
E. The first presents a conclusion that the argument later supports with evidence; the second is a prediction based on that conclusion.
The argument begins by presenting the view of some consultants who claim that flexible schedules should be used to maximize productivity. The author then challenges that recommendation, arguing that fixed schedules may better serve the same goal under certain circumstances. The first boldface is a general position offered by others, and the second boldface is the author’s main conclusion.
A. Incorrect.
BF1: OK. is a recommendation (use flex schedules) based on a goal (maximize productivity).
BF2: NOT OK. This statement does show a limitation of that recommendation by pointing out cases where it doesn't work. However, this description isn't the best one because it understates the role of the second statement. BF2 isn't just a minor point or a "consideration"; it is the main conclusion of the entire argument.
B (Correct answer)
BF1: OK. It is a "general claim" ("implement...whenever possible") made by "some experts" (the consultants).
BF2: OK. It is the author's ultimate takeaway, signaled by the word "Therefore." It's the point the entire argument is structured to support. This makes it the main conclusion.
C. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The argument does not defend the first boldfaced statement; it challenges it.
BF2: NOT OK. The second boldfaced statement is the conclusion, not evidence. The evidence is the part about "close coordination" and "communication breakdowns."
D. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The first statement is not the goal but a way of reaching a goal
BF2: NOT OK. The second statement does not challenge the goal. The goal is maximizing productivity. The author fully supports this goal. In fact, BF2 explicitly says that maintaining fixed schedules serves "the very goal of maximizing productivity." The argument only challenges the strategy (flexible schedules), not the goal itself.
E. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The argument does not support the first statement; it opposes it.
BF1: NOT OK. The second statement is nota prediction about the future. It describes what is best under current, known conditions.
Answer: B
Flexible scheduling allows employees to choose their work hours within certain limits and is widely believed to increase productivity. [b]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.
In the argument above, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
[/b]
A. The first states a recommendation based on a widely accepted goal; the second presents a consideration that shows a limitation of that recommendation.
B. The first expresses a general claim supported by some experts; the second presents the main conclusion of the argument.
C. The first presents a popular approach that the argument seeks to defend; the second provides evidence in support of that approach.
D. The first identifies a goal and a strategy for achieving it; the second challenges the validity of that goal.
E. The first presents a conclusion that the argument later supports with evidence; the second is a prediction based on that conclusion.
The argument begins by presenting the view of some consultants who claim that flexible schedules should be used to maximize productivity. The author then challenges that recommendation, arguing that fixed schedules may better serve the same goal under certain circumstances. The first boldface is a general position offered by others, and the second boldface is the author’s main conclusion.
A. Incorrect.
BF1: OK. is a recommendation (use flex schedules) based on a goal (maximize productivity).
BF2: NOT OK. This statement does show a limitation of that recommendation by pointing out cases where it doesn't work. However, this description isn't the best one because it understates the role of the second statement. BF2 isn't just a minor point or a "consideration"; it is the main conclusion of the entire argument.
B (Correct answer)
BF1: OK. It is a "general claim" ("implement...whenever possible") made by "some experts" (the consultants).
BF2: OK. It is the author's ultimate takeaway, signaled by the word "Therefore." It's the point the entire argument is structured to support. This makes it the main conclusion.
C. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The argument does not defend the first boldfaced statement; it challenges it.
BF2: NOT OK. The second boldfaced statement is the conclusion, not evidence. The evidence is the part about "close coordination" and "communication breakdowns."
D. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The first statement is not the goal but a way of reaching a goal
BF2: NOT OK. The second statement does not challenge the goal. The goal is maximizing productivity. The author fully supports this goal. In fact, BF2 explicitly says that maintaining fixed schedules serves "the very goal of maximizing productivity." The argument only challenges the strategy (flexible schedules), not the goal itself.
E. Incorrect.
BF1: NOT OK. The argument does not support the first statement; it opposes it.
BF1: NOT OK. The second statement is nota prediction about the future. It describes what is best under current, known conditions.
Answer: B
16 Apr 2026, 06:48
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Isn't the main conclusion- " However, this recommendation may not always serve that goal."?
BF 2 --> " [color=#2a2a2a]Therefore, the very goal of maximizing productivity may, in some cases, best be served by maintaining fixed work schedules." seems to support the stmt: " However, this recommendation may not always serve that goal."[/color]
[color=#2a2a2a]D is a better choice than B[/color]
BF 2 --> " [color=#2a2a2a]Therefore, the very goal of maximizing productivity may, in some cases, best be served by maintaining fixed work schedules." seems to support the stmt: " However, this recommendation may not always serve that goal."[/color]
[color=#2a2a2a]D is a better choice than B[/color]
Bunuel
