Question 8: A. although B. therefore C. however D. because

GEN Z AT WORK: TWO FRICTION POINTS

Pay clarity vs. pay mystery

Gen Z employees are more likely to ask for salary ranges and role definitions. In some teams, a (7) __________ of pay is performance-based, yet the rules are not explained, so trust erodes. In light of rising living costs, many feel forced to compare offers quickly, not (8) __________ they are disloyal, but because they are trying to stay stable.

Flexibility vs. “always-on” culture

Some managers still treat long hours as proof of commitment. However, many Gen Z workers prefer outcomes over presence. In meetings, some speak up fast; (9) __________ wait, then message later with sharper questions. They also try to (10) __________ time spent on tasks that look busy but add little value.

The deeper (11) __________ is not that “young people don’t work hard”; it’s that the old signals of effort no longer match the new reality of work. If leaders ignore this shift, (12) __________ can drop even in teams with decent pay.

Animal media online — cute clips, hidden harm

Animal videos are everywhere: “rescues,” “funny reactions,” and “pet influencers” that rack up millions of views overnight. Yet a rising concern is that some clips are staged, with animals pushed into stressful scenes just to trigger comments. The harm is easy to miss because it is packaged as entertainment, and the pressure on creators rarely (1) __________ up.

Red flags to notice

Look for repeated “accidents,” unnatural fear responses, or the same animal appearing in multiple “miracle” stories across different pages. A clip (2) __________ in slow motion with dramatic music can still show rough handling if you watch closely.

What viewers can do

Before sharing, check whether the account provides context, veterinary proof, or follow-up updates. If something feels wrong, report the content (3) __________ the platform’s safety team and avoid “hate-sharing,” which can boost reach. Many viewers also try (4) __________ their attention toward channels that show calm care, not panic.

Some platforms now add a (5) __________ warning label to content that includes risky animal handling, but labels work only when users take them seriously. The most (6) __________ detail is often not the animal’s size, but its body language: frozen posture, repeated lip-licking, or wide, fixed eyes.