Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 39: Answer and Explanation

Question: 39

Text 1

If the eruption of smartphones has been the vanguard of anything, it is the near societal takeover of social media. Within the workplace, most supervisors quickly block sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from company computers, and for good reason. Productivity is likely to decrease if three hours of an eight-hour workday are spent liking and tweeting and pinning. Then there is company bad-mouthing to consider. In the digital age, nothing one says or does or records online is private-nothing.

Text 2

The unique ability of social media to market company services and extend company reputation is indispensable. Many startup businesses find that they simply cannot compete without a social media page to deliver their mission and broaden their contacts. It can simply be the best tool available for advertising, marketing, expansion, and customer feedback. Likewise, it provides an unrivaled medium for market research.

It can be reasonably concluded that the authors of both Text 1 and Text 2 would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

• A. While it can be inefficient for employees to use social media during the workday, it can be quite helpful for business to utilize it.
• B. Social media provides an unnecessary distraction to both businesses and to their employees and should be removed from the workplace.
• C. Employers often overstep their bounds by interfering with the social media use of their employees.
• D. Privacy is the foremost concern for internet users, and strict measures should be taken to safeguard personal information.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Text 1 argues that due to time wasting and privacy considerations, employers are correct in blocking social media use by employees at work. Text 2 argues that there are tremendous benefits to businesses that can use social media. So, choice (A) would be the best fit. It is not (B), because Text 2 argues that businesses should be able to use social media. It is not (C), because neither text argues that a social media ban in the workplace is an invasion of boundaries. It is not (D), because whereas Text 1 acknowledges concerns about privacy, Text 2 does not give evidence in support of this position.