B1 Preliminary (PET) Practice Paper 20

Sarah started working from home six months ago, and the change surprised her in many ways. At first, she missed the office social life and found it hard to concentrate. However, she soon discovered several advantages. She saved time on her daily commute and could finally start that fitness routine she'd always wanted. Her manager, Tom, was initially worried that productivity would drop, but the results showed the opposite. His team actually delivered projects faster because there were fewer interruptions. That said, remote work isn't perfect for everyone. Sarah's colleague Marcus struggled with loneliness and eventually requested to return to the office three days a week. The company decided to adopt a hybrid model, allowing employees to choose what worked best for them. Sarah now goes in twice a month for important meetings, which she appreciates. Despite the challenges, the team has learned that flexibility is key to keeping employees happy and motivated. The company plans to continue this approach even after the pandemic ends.

Marcus works at a busy tech company in the city centre. He usually arrives at the office early so that he ___1___ to deal with heavy traffic. Last month, his boss offered him a promotion, but it would require him to travel overseas frequently. Marcus ___2___ accept the offer immediately because it sounded exciting. However, he soon realized that he ___3___ spend much time away from his family. He discussed the problem with his manager and they ___4___ find a solution. Now Marcus works from the company's satellite office in his hometown two weeks per month. ___5___ this arrangement, he has better balance between work and personal life. He has ___6___ realized that remote work options help the company attract and keep talented employees. His new role involves managing a small team, and he communicates with them ___7___ video calls and emails. Marcus believes this flexibility will ___8___ more popular in future workplaces around the world.