雅思词汇课文（18）· The Rise of Remote Work 远程办公的兴起

工作与科技主题，约 350 词，融入 30 个雅思核心词。

🎧 课文朗读音频（约 1 分钟）

📖 课文 Text

The Rise of Remote Work

Before 2020, remote work was a perk offered by a minority of companies. The pandemic forced millions of employees to work from home almost overnight. Three years later, the practice has become permanent for many. In the United States, roughly 15 per cent of full-time workers are now fully remote, and another 30 per cent follow a hybrid model.

The advantages are clear. Commuting time, often two hours a day in congested cities, is reclaimed. Employees report higher productivity, fewer interruptions and a better work-life balance. Companies save on office rent, a significant expense in central business districts. Workers can live anywhere, not just within commuting distance of their employer.

Yet remote work also has costs. Collaboration can become more difficult. Informal conversations by the coffee machine, which often spark innovation, disappear. Junior employees lose the mentorship that comes from sitting beside experienced colleagues. Loneliness is a real problem, particularly for people living alone.

Employers are divided. Some, such as Twitter and Shopify, have embraced remote work fully. Others, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, have demanded staff return to the office, arguing that culture and training suffer. A compromise, the hybrid model, three days in the office and two at home, is increasingly common.

The long-term consequences for cities are already visible. Shopfronts and cafes in central business districts have closed. Suburban and small-town economies are booming. Property prices in city centres have softened while demand for larger homes with spare rooms has risen.

The future is likely to be flexible. The pandemic proved that many jobs can be done from anywhere. The challenge is to design workplaces, both physical and digital, that preserve the benefits of connection without forcing everyone into the same building.

📝 生词表 New Words and Expressions

🧠 课文理解 Comprehension

1. What percentage of US workers are fully remote?

• A. about 5 per cent
• B. about 15 per cent
• C. about 50 per cent
• D. about 70 per cent

2. Which is mentioned as an advantage of remote work?

• A. easier collaboration
• B. less loneliness
• C. reclaimed commuting time
• D. better mentorship for juniors

3. Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are mentioned as examples of companies that...

• A. embraced fully remote work
• B. demanded staff return to the office
• C. closed all offices
• D. offered unlimited holidays

4. What has happened to property prices in city centres?

• A. they have risen sharply
• B. they have softened
• C. they have doubled
• D. they are unaffected

5. The hybrid model involves...

• A. working from home full-time
• B. three days in office, two at home
• C. working from cafes
• D. rotating jobs between companies

✏️ 词汇练习 Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list. Change the form where necessary.

| permanent / productivity / collaboration / informal / embrace / compromise / flexible / preserve |

1. After years of travelling, she finally found a ______ job close to home.
2. The new software tool has dramatically improved team ______.
3. Successful ______ between departments is essential for the project.
4. The meeting was relaxed and ______, held over lunch.
5. The company decided to ______ remote working as a long-term option.
6. After hours of negotiation, both sides reached a ______.
7. Working hours are ______; you can start anytime between 7 and 10.
8. The museum's mission is to ______ historical artefacts for future generations.

✅ 答案 Answers

Comprehension

1. B　2. C　3. B　4. B　5. B

Vocabulary

1. permanent　2. productivity　3. collaboration　4. informal　5. embrace　6. compromise　7. flexible　8. preserve