【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 30-32 (30) Flexibility in the workplace usually means employers and employees working together to agree on aspects of the employees' working life. Flexibility involves thinking in a creative way about how the employees' working lives are structured and of finding the best way to do things. When employees work on a part-time basis, there are various ways in which flexibility can affect their working week. Sometimes it is better for the emp!oyee to work a few, regu.lar days a week. At other times an employee would rather work two days one week and three days the following week,for example. (31) {{U}}These days, job seekers expect more flexibility in the workplace. They have more caring responsibilities than a couple of decades ago and the whole issue of maintaining a healthy work-life balance has become a priority.{{/U}} Workplace flexibility has many benefits for employers. They find it easier to attract skilled and motivated workers if they offer flexibility. They also find it easier to' retain staff. Production is increased and absenteeism is reduced because workers are able to attend to their responsibilities in the time they are away from the workplace. There is an increase in trust and respect as well as the employees usually being more focused and energetic and less stressed. Workers are better able to deal with non-work commitments when they work in a flexible environment. (32) {{U}}Employees approaching retirement age can ease their way into retirement gradually rather than suddenly{{/U}}. And above all, workers have less overall stress in their lives and more control. Q30：What does“flexibility in the workplace”refer to? [听前预测] 根据选项中的employees，family等预测短文与工作和家庭有关。第31题可能考查原因，第32题可能考查某事的益处。文章开始便说“弹性办公”是指员工与雇主一起就员工的工作达成一致，用一种创新性的思维来安排员工的工作，故选A) 项。