Question

× many companies choose open plan designs for their offices because they want to foster collaboration among employees. however, this may be counterproductive: survey research has found that workers typically dislike such plans for their lack of privacy and frequent distractions, and as a result employees in such offices interact with their coworkers less than those in offices with a more traditional design. × as it is used in the text, the word “foster” most nearly means which of the following? a. shelter b. impede c. observe d. nurture

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "foster" in the context, we analyze the sentence: companies choose open - plan offices to "foster collaboration among employees".

• Option A: "shelter" means to protect or provide a place of refuge. This has nothing to do with promoting collaboration, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: "impede" means to hinder or block. But the companies' goal with open - plan offices is to promote, not hinder, collaboration, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: "observe" means to watch or notice. It has no relation to promoting collaboration, so C is incorrect.
• Option D: "nurture" can mean to encourage the development of something. In this context, "foster" means to encourage or promote the development of collaboration, which is similar to "nurture".

Answer:

D. nurture