A reader claims: 'Every participating company saw its revenue increase.' What is the correct assessment? (Passage: The four-day week trial)
A trial of a four-day working week involved 61 companies and about 2,900 employees over six months. Staff kept their full pay but worked 80 per cent of their usual hours. At the end, 56 of the companies said they intended to continue the arrangement, and 18 of them made it permanent immediately. Average revenue across participating firms rose by a small margin, although the researchers cautioned that the companies had volunteered and may not represent the wider economy. Staff reported lower stress, and resignations fell by more than half.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Cannot tell
- Step 1: An average does not describe every member. Step 2. A rise in average revenue is compatible with some firms falling, and the passage gives no firm-level figures. Answer: Cannot tell. Why not the others: Average rising does not prove all rose; the intention to continue is a different matter from revenue; no link to the 18 is stated.
Practise more Short passages and comprehension (set 1).
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More Short passages and comprehension (set 1) questions
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