Reading Comprehension Test: English for Professionals

Over 87% of companies plan to enforce Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates this year.

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Try this quick reading comprehension test. Read the short text below and choose the best answer option.

The Great Office Comeback: Why Forced Return-to-Office Policies Are Backfiring

The remote work revolution, once hailed as the future of employment, is facing a dramatic reversal. Over 87% of companies plan to enforce Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates this year, according to Resume Builder — a seismic shift that risks alienating employees and undermining the very productivity gains leaders hope to achieve. Yet as organizations scramble to repopulate cubicles, many are discovering that rigid RTO policies come at a steep cost: eroded trust, diminished morale, and a talent exodus.

“Chaotic RTO damages leader credibility,” warns Allison Vaillancourt, VP at HR consultancy Segal. “Employees see through poorly reasoned mandates.” Her critique cuts to the heart of the issue. While executives cite accountability, cost reduction, and in-person collaboration as justification for RTO, research suggests these benefits are far from guaranteed. In fact, 42% of companies report worsening morale post-mandate—a statistic that exposes the peril of one-size-fits-all approaches.

Proponents argue office returns foster camaraderie and work-life boundaries. But Vaillancourt counters this narrative: “Decades of data prove remote teams can build strong cultures. What matters isn’t physical presence, but intentional leadership.” The disconnect reveals a fundamental tension: companies prioritizing short-term oversight risk long-term cultural decay. Hybrid models, flexibility, and clear communication, experts argue, are non-negotiable for retaining top talent in this volatile landscape.

The path forward demands nuance. Organizations must ask: Are we mandating office days to prop up commercial real estate investments—or to solve documented collaboration gaps? Are we measuring productivity through facetime or outcomes? Until leaders articulate RTO strategies grounded in empathy and evidence, the great office comeback may well become the great resignation 2.0.

Reading Comprehension Quiz

1. What does the word "eroded" most closely mean in the sentence: "Chaotic RTO erodes the trust employees have in their organizations"?

Strengthened
Diminished
Ignored

The correct answer is Diminished. "Eroded" implies a gradual destruction of trust, making "diminished" the most accurate synonym.

2. According to the article, what percentage of companies reported worsened morale after RTO mandates?

42%
87%
56%

The correct answer is 42%. The article explicitly states this statistic as a key consequence of RTO mandates.

3. True, False, or Not Given: Allison Vaillancourt believes physical presence is essential for teamwork.

True
False
Not Given

The correct answer is False. Vaillancourt argues that remote teams can achieve high levels of collaboration.

4. Which word is a synonym for "volatile" as used in the article?

Stable
Predictable
Unpredictable

The correct answer is Unpredictable. "Volatile" describes a rapidly changing, uncertain environment.

5. What does the term "nuance" imply about RTO strategies in the final paragraph?

They should be rigidly enforced
They require careful, context-specific planning
They are unnecessary for most companies

The correct answer is They require careful, context-specific planning. "Nuance" suggests a need for tailored approaches rather than blanket policies.

6. True, False, or Not Given: 87% of employees support RTO mandates.

True
False
Not Given

The correct answer is Not Given. The article states 87% of companies plan RTO mandates but does not mention employee support.

7. What is implied by the phrase "the great resignation 2.0"?

A surge in employee promotions
A wave of mass employee departures
Increased corporate mergers

The correct answer is A wave of mass employee departures. The phrase references the post-pandemic "Great Resignation," where employees left jobs en masse.

8. Which is NOT listed as a driver for RTO policies?

Accountability
Employee preferences
Cost reduction

The correct answer is Employee preferences. The article lists accountability, fairness, cost reduction, and responsiveness as drivers.

9. What tone does the author adopt toward RTO mandates?

Enthusiastic endorsement
Neutral analysis
Skeptical critique

The correct answer is Skeptical critique. Phrases like "backfiring" and "steep cost" indicate a critical perspective.

10. What does Vaillancourt emphasize as more important than physical presence?

Strict schedules
Intentional leadership
Office aesthetics

The correct answer is Intentional leadership. Vaillancourt argues that leadership quality, not location, drives culture.

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