Question

How is work affected when an object is lifted straight up instead of using a ramp? Work will increase.

Answer 1

Without friction, the amount of work only depends on the final height,
and is not affected by the route used to get there. 

If the ramp has no friction, then it has no effect on the total amount
of work done.  The work to lift the load straight up is the same.

If the ramp has some friction, then it takes more work to use the ramp
than to lift the load straight up.  Then the work to lift the load straight up
would be less than when the ramp is used.