SSC Stenographer 13th Oct 2023 Shift 1

Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.

There are three main groups of oils: animal, vegetable, and mineral. Great quantities of
animal oil come from whales, creatures of the sea, which are the largest of the remaining
animals in the world. To protect the whales from the cold of the Arctic seas, nature has
provided them with a thick covering of fat, called blubber. When the whale is killed, the
blubber is stripped off and boiled down. It produces a great quantity of oil which can be made
into food for human consumption. A few other creatures yield oil, but none so much as the
whale. The livers of cod and halibut, two kinds of fish, yield nourishing oil. Both cod liver oil
and halibut oil are given to sick children who need certain vitamins. No household can get by
without oil, for it is used in cooking. Perfumes and soaps may be made from the oils of certain
flowers.

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Remote work, the ability to work from home or other locations outside of the traditional office
setting, has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the development of new
technologies, remote work is now possible for many jobs that previously required employees
to be physically present in the office. This shift towards remote work has been driven by a
number of factors, including the desire for increased flexibility, reduced overhead costs and
improved work-life balance.

One of the primary benefits of remote work is the flexibility it provides. Employees are able to
work from wherever they choose, whether that be from the comfort of their own homes, a
local coffee shop or even while travelling. This flexibility can allow employees to better
balance work and personal responsibilities and can result in higher job satisfaction and
retention rates. Employers also benefit from increased flexibility, as remote work can lead to
reduced overhead costs, such as rent and utilities for office space.

In addition to flexibility, remote work has also been linked to increased productivity. Many
studies have shown that employees who work from home are often more productive than
those who work in a traditional office setting. This is due in part to reduced distractions and
interruptions, as well as the ability to work during one's most productive hours, rather than
adhering to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Furthermore, remote work can lead to a more
diverse and inclusive workforce, as individuals with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities
can more easily participate in the workforce.

Despite the benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider when it comes to remote
work. One of the primary concerns is the lack of social interaction and collaboration. When
employees are working remotely, they may miss out on the benefits of in-person
collaboration, such as brainstorming sessions and the ability to bounce ideas off of
colleagues. Additionally, remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which
can have a negative impact on mental health and job satisfaction.

Another potential drawback of remote work is the potential for blurred boundaries between
work and personal life. When employees work from home, it can be difficult to separate work
time from personal time, leading to longer work hours and decreased work-life balance.
Additionally, without the structure of a traditional office environment, it can be easy for
employees to become distracted or procrastinate, leading to decreased productivity.
Overall, while remote work offers many benefits, it is important for both employees and
employers to consider the potential drawbacks and take steps to mitigate them. This may
include finding ways to maintain social interaction and collaboration, setting clear boundaries
between work and personal time and establishing a structured routine to ensure productivity
and work-life balance. As remote work continues to become more prevalent, it is important to
balance its benefits with its potential challenges and find ways to create a productive and
healthy remote work environment.