영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Psychologists have long studied a mechanism called the variable reward schedule, in which rewards ①arrive unpredictably rather than after every single action. Slot machines famously exploit this principle, and social media notifications operate on strikingly similar logic. When someone posts a photo, they cannot predict exactly when likes will appear, nor ②how many they will eventually receive. This uncertainty triggers a small burst of dopamine each time the phone ③is checked, regardless of whether the result is disappointing or thrilling. Consequently, users often refresh their feeds compulsively, ④hoping the next check will finally bring a satisfying reward. What makes this troubling is that technology companies deliberately designed notification systems using insights borrowed from gambling research, rather than ⑤stumble upon them by accident.

The metaverse, a network of interconnected virtual worlds, has begun ①generate job opportunities that did not exist just a few years ago. Companies now hire virtual world designers who build digital environments ②where users can socialize, shop, or attend events. Avatar designers create digital identities ③that represent users within these spaces, blending artistic skill with technical programming knowledge. Some analysts remain skeptical, ④pointing out that the metaverse has not yet attracted the massive user base that early predictions promised. Nevertheless, major companies continue ⑤investing heavily in this technology.

Setting a goal such as 'I will study harder' rarely ①leads to meaningful improvement. According to psychologists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, specific and challenging goals ②produce far better performance than vague or easy ones. This idea, known as goal-setting theory, suggests ③that clear targets direct attention and sustain effort over time. To apply this theory effectively, many educators recommend the SMART framework, which ④require goals to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Because the goal includes a clear number and a deadline, progress becomes easy ⑤to track and evaluate.

Minji spent nearly every evening ①watched Jimin, an online creator who streamed cooking videos and chatted casually with her viewers. Over several months, Minji began to feel as though she truly knew Jimin, ②laughing at her jokes and worrying whenever she mentioned having a difficult week. Whenever Jimin responded to a comment, even a simple one, Minji felt a small thrill of connection, as if they ③were becoming closer friends. One day, Minji excitedly waited outside a fan event, ④hoping that Jimin would recognize her from the countless messages she had sent. However, Jimin greeted her the same way she greeted every other stranger in line, ⑤without any hint of personal recognition.

Retailers use a variety of techniques ①designed to encourage customers to make unplanned purchases. Online stores achieve a similar effect through countdown timers that ②create a false sense of urgency. Bright colors, cheerful music, and pleasant scents are also carefully chosen to put customers in a relaxed mood, ③making them less likely to think critically about their spending. Critics argue that these tactics ④exploits human psychology rather than genuinely informing consumers about a product's value. Shoppers who understand these strategies are better equipped ⑤to resist them.

Minji had tried for years to build a bedtime reading habit but always ①forgot once under the blanket. During summer, she found a method called habit stacking. It means attaching a new habit to an existing one so it acts as a reminder. Her existing habit was brushing her teeth every night, so she decided to place her book ②far from her toothbrush. After brushing her teeth, she would pick up the book, letting one action trigger the next. Within two weeks, opening the book after brushing felt almost ③automatic, requiring no conscious effort. She realized habit stacking worked best when the new habit was ④small and the existing habit was stable and predictable. By the end of summer, both habits felt like ⑤steady parts of her routine, requiring no reminders.

Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory, which explains that people evaluate their own abilities and opinions by comparing themselves with others. According to this theory, individuals engage in upward comparison when they measure themselves against someone who appears more successful, attractive, or accomplished. Social media platforms, filled with carefully edited photos and exaggerated achievements, provide endless opportunities for this kind of comparison. For instance, a teenager browsing vacation pictures posted by classmates may begin to feel that her own ordinary life is somehow inadequate. Unlike comparing oneself with someone in a similar position, which can sometimes boost confidence, upward comparison frequently triggers envy, dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem. Researchers have found that frequent upward comparison online is linked to higher depression and anxiety. Consequently, this theory helps explain why ___________.

A growing number of people are practicing what is now called digital detox, the deliberate decision to stop using smartphones for a set period. Rather than checking notifications every few minutes, participants unplug for a weekend, a week, or sometimes even longer. Numerous studies suggest that this temporary withdrawal produces real benefits for both the mind and the body. First, attention spans fragmented by constant notifications gradually recover, allowing people to concentrate on single tasks for longer stretches. Second, avoiding screens before bedtime improves sleep quality, since blue light emitted by devices is known to disrupt natural sleep cycles. Third, people freed from their phones often rediscover the pleasure of face-to-face conversations that had been replaced by texting. Critics argue that complete disconnection is impractical in a hyperconnected society, yet even brief, regular breaks appear to restore balance. Therefore, _______________.

Across many countries, high schools begin classes early in the morning, often before eight o'clock. This schedule assumes that teenagers can simply go to bed earlier to compensate, but biology tells a different story. During adolescence, the body's internal clock shifts later, delaying the release of melatonin until well after ten at night. As a result, most teenagers are not physiologically ready to fall asleep until much later than younger children or adults. When early start times force them to wake before their bodies have completed a full sleep cycle, the mismatch accumulates into a chronic sleep debt that affects concentration and mood throughout the school day. Researchers who study this mismatch argue that _______________. Some school districts that delayed their start times by thirty minutes reported improvements in attendance, suggesting that the timing of the school day matters more than commonly assumed.

Long before social media existed, people naturally clustered into groups based on shared traits. (A) These algorithms track patterns such as shared interests, mutual friends, and browsing habits to recommend new connections. (B) Neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces often reflected this tendency, as individuals gravitated toward others who resembled themselves. (C) Today, however, this same tendency operates through recommendation algorithms built into social media platforms.