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Reading Comprehension test # 02

Date Grade & Section
Student’s Name___________________________________________________________
Purpose: Identify main ideas and details from the written text
Identify words or ideas that the underline words or phrases from the written text
SCORE
refers to.
Interpret meaning of words in context
Competency: Reads different types of text in English as a foreign language
Capability: C1. Obtains information from the written text D L P I
C2. Infers and interprets information from the written text
Teacher: Milagros Calderón Miró

CRITERIA YES NO FEEDBACK

Identifies explicit, relevant and complementary information.

Infers the topic and main ideas from explicit information.

CHECK LIST
Infers the information from explicit information.

Interprets meaning of words from context clues or keywords.

Read the passage.

Digital Communication in the Modern Workplace

A Rapid technological advances in the last 40 years have completely changed the landscape of work life. Work chat
platforms―software that allows employees to send instant messages, share files, and have video conferences―have
accelerated communication and collaboration between people in offices all over the world. However, while they offer
undeniable benefits, they also come with their share of challenges. So how can we maximize the benefits and minimize
the drawbacks of online communication tools at work?
B One of the most significant positive impacts of work chat platforms is their ability to make office communication more
efficient than ever before. They eliminate the need for prolonged email chains or physical meetings. With real-time
messaging, teams based in different locations can communicate and collaborate in an instant, sharing ideas, making
decisions, and resolving issues promptly.
C However, this enhanced efficiency comes at a potential cost. In particular, the brief nature of written communication on
these platforms can lead to miscommunication between different generations due to their distinct communication
styles. Younger generations, often more used to texting than speaking, are quite comfortable conducting business
discussions via short, direct written messages, even using animated gifs and emojis. In contrast, older colleagues might
prefer traditional face-to-face conversations or video conferences, where tone and nonverbal cues play a vital role. They
cannot relate to the casual nature of texts and perceive younger coworkers as unprofessional.
D Something that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago is the rise of remote working. The ability to install
these work chat platforms on personal devices has made remote working not only feasible but inevitable. These tools
have allowed employees to collaborate smoothly from various locations, transforming how organizations operate.
Remote work has proved crucial, especially in times of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Through video conferencing
and instant messaging, colleagues can work together on projects, attend meetings, and maintain a sense of connection
despite never being in the same physical location. It has also expanded the talent pool for employers, giving them access
to a wider range of skilled individuals regardless of where they are based.
E For some, the ability to work from home has allowed them a greater work-life balance. Less time commuting means more
time spent with family, which also cuts the cost of care for children and elderly relatives by a considerable amount. For
others though, the boundaries between work and personal life have become less distinct. Messaging apps have made it
challenging for individuals to disconnect from work. The constant notifications and messages can create an environment
where the pressure on employees to respond is relentless, even outside the regular workday. Many workers are afraid
of being perceived as someone who responds to questions too slowly, or who is not immediately available to discuss
issues that arise. This erodes the clear line between work and leisure, potentially leading to burnout and decreased
overall well-being. The ability to answer work-related queries during weekends or evenings may sound like an
advantage, but it can ultimately harm both individual and team dynamics if not managed effectively.
F To achieve a balanced approach, it is essential to master the art of using work chat platforms wisely in the workplace. First,
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it's crucial to recognize and respect diverse communication styles. Training sessions that focus on effective written
communication can bridge the gap between different generations, fostering a culture of clear and precise messaging.
Second, to address the challenges of remote working, establishing guidelines for work hours and response expectations
can help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. Encouraging employees to disconnect from work-related
communication outside of work hours can prevent burnout and improve overall mental well-being. Third, promoting
occasional offline team-building activities can strengthen personal connections in a way that digital interactions cannot.
G Work chat platforms have undeniably transformed the landscape of work life, accelerating communication, enabling
remote work, and altering how we balance work and personal time. While they offer unparalleled efficiency and
flexibility, they also pose challenges related to miscommunication and overwork. By acknowledging and addressing
these issues, companies can enjoy the positive impacts of work chat platforms while minimizing their potential negative
impacts.

I. Choose the correct answers.

1. In what way does the passage say work chat platforms can lead to miscommunication?
a. The meaning of emojis differs in each country, causing misunderstandings.
b. Nonverbal clues are difficult to pick up with video conferencing systems.
c. Employees of different ages find it difficult to understand each other’s communication style.

2. According to the passage, why do some people respond to work messages outside of office hours?
a. They want to be seen as ready to help at any time.
b. They prefer to work during weekends or evenings.
c. They are busy with childcare during office hours.

3. In the third sentence of paragraph F, the word fostering is closest in meaning to __________.
a. developing
b. maturing
c. expanding

4. What is NOT mentioned as a strategy for using work chat platforms effectively?
a. Putting limits on when employees should use work chat platforms.
b. Hosting virtual team-building workshops to strengthen personal connections.
c. Training employees on understanding different writing styles.

5. In the line This erodes the clear line between work and leisure, what does This refer to?
a. The fact that working from home makes us reachable at any time in any place.
b. The fact that we have to combine work with taking care of family.

6. Which word from paragraph F is closest in meaning to the word instructions?

a. approach
b. guidelines
c. expectations

II. Choose the word or idea that each underlined word refers to.

1. The journalist wrote an article about technology which got a lot of attention from the public. That was then turned
into a book, and a movie deal is expected to follow.
a. an article
b. technology
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2. Game designers employ a number of tricks to get users quickly hooked on their games. One of the most common is to
let users win easily at first to give them a feeling of happiness.
a. tricks
b. games

3. We will have self-driving cars, space tourism, and 3D printers that can manufacture drugs. Advances like these may
seem like a fantasy now, but they'll be commonplace in the next 50 years.
a. 3D printers
b. advances

4. The company’s new phone has some impressive features, such as a high-spec camera and increased data storage. It
will totally change the way we can capture and store memories.
a. the camera
b. the smartphone

5. Virtual reality headsets are hugely popular among gamers due to their immersive capabilities. They allow players to
feel like they are inside the game.
a. players
b. virtual reality headsets

6. As e-commerce continues to grow, companies are investing heavily in their online platforms. They want to enhance
the consumer experience, making it more convenient for customers.
a. online platforms
b. user experience