阅读以下段落，回答问题：
The surge in remote work over the past decade has reshaped urban dynamics. Many employees now opt to live outside city centers, reducing daily commutes and easing traffic congestion. This shift has led to decreased demand for commercial real estate in downtown areas, with office vacancy rates rising by 15% in major metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, suburban housing markets have boomed, as families seek larger living spaces suitable for home offices. Critics argue that this trend may weaken urban economies by reducing foot traffic to local businesses, though proponents note that it has also revitalized smaller town centers previously overshadowed by cities.
The passage implies that the rise in remote work is primarily responsible for:
A. The decline of suburban housing prices
B. Increased foot traffic to urban businesses
C. Higher office vacancy rates in city centers
D. Overcrowding in small town centers
解析：
本题考查对段落中因果逻辑关系的准确识别，需通过定位信号词和上下文关联进行判断。
- 段落明确指出远程工作激增导致 “employees now opt to live outside city centers”，随后直接说明 “This shift has led to decreased demand for commercial real estate in downtown areas, with office vacancy rates rising by 15%”。其中 “led to” 是关键因果信号词，明确连接远程工作带来的变化与市中心办公楼空置率上升的结果，与选项 C 完全对应。
- 干扰项 A（郊区房价下跌）与原文 “suburban housing markets have boomed” 完全矛盾；B（城市商业人流量增加）与 “may weaken urban economies by reducing foot traffic” 相反；D（小镇中心过度拥挤）曲解了 “revitalized smaller town centers” 的表述，文中未提及 “过度拥挤” 这一结果。解题关键在于区分直接因果关系与反向描述或无关信息，避免被转折后的次要观点干扰。
答案：C