Meaning: 'Practices' refers to established methods or ways of doing something, particularly in a professional context.

Wrong options:

• focus: Focus is a singular noun that does not match the plural subject 'technology and flexible work.'
• deals: Deals is a plural noun that refers to agreements or transactions, which does not fit the context of work methods.
• way: Way is a singular noun that does not align with the plural subject and does not convey the intended meaning of methods or approaches.
• selling: Selling is a gerund that refers to the act of selling, which does not fit as it does not describe methods of work.
• output: Output is a noun that refers to the result of work, but it does not relate to the methods or practices of work.
• extent: Extent is a noun that refers to the degree or scope of something, which does not fit the context of work methods.

Correct answer: focus

Explanation: The term 'focus' is a singular noun that fits grammatically as it serves as the subject of the sentence. Contextually, it indicates the main area of attention or emphasis in productivity, which has shifted in the workplace.

Meaning: 'Focus' refers to the central point of attention or interest.

Wrong options:

• deals: Deals is a plural noun that does not relate to the concept of attention or emphasis in productivity.
• way: Way is a singular noun that does not convey the intended meaning of central attention or emphasis in this context.
• practices: Practices is a plural noun that refers to methods, which does not fit as it does not indicate a central point of attention.
• selling: Selling is a gerund that refers to the act of selling, which does not relate to the concept of focus in productivity.
• output: Output is a noun that refers to the result of work, which does not fit as it does not indicate a central point of attention in productivity.
• extent: Extent is a noun that refers to the degree or scope of something, which does not fit as it does not indicate a central point of attention.

Correct answer: output

Explanation: The word 'output' is a noun that fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the preposition 'their.' Contextually, it refers to the results or products of employees' work, which is relevant to the discussion of productivity.

Meaning: 'Output' refers to the amount of work produced or the results achieved by employees.

Wrong options:

• focus: Focus is a noun that refers to attention or emphasis, which does not fit as it does not relate to the results of work.
• deals: Deals is a plural noun that refers to agreements or transactions, which does not fit the context of work results.
• practices: Practices is a plural noun that refers to methods, which does not fit as it does not indicate results or products of work.
• selling: Selling is a gerund that refers to the act of selling, which does not relate to the results of work.
• way: Way is a singular noun that does not convey the intended meaning of results or products of work.
• extent: Extent is a noun that refers to the degree or scope of something, which does not fit as it does not indicate results.

Correct answer: extent

Explanation: The term 'extent' is a noun that fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the preposition 'to.' Contextually, it refers to the degree to which the trend will continue, making it relevant to the sentence's meaning.

Meaning: 'Extent' refers to the degree or scope of something, particularly in terms of how much it applies or is relevant.

Wrong options:

• focus: Focus is a noun that refers to attention or emphasis, which does not fit as it does not indicate a degree or scope.
• deals: Deals is a plural noun that refers to agreements or transactions, which does not fit the context of degree or scope.
• practices: Practices is a plural noun that refers to methods, which does not fit as it does not indicate a degree or scope.
• selling: Selling is a gerund that refers to the act of selling, which does not relate to the concept of degree or scope.
• way: Way is a singular noun that does not convey the intended meaning of degree or scope in this context.
• output: Output is a noun that refers to the result of work, which does not fit as it does not indicate a degree or scope.