영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Automation is transforming labor markets more quickly than economists predicted only a decade ago. Factories once staffed by hundreds of workers now rely on robotic arms ①that assemble products with remarkable precision. Warehouses use automated systems ②to sort and deliver packages within a few hours. This shift does not simply eliminate jobs; it also creates roles that ③never exists before. Technicians who maintain robotic equipment are now in high demand, and engineers who design efficient systems ④are highly valued. Policymakers argue that retraining programs ⑤are essential to help displaced workers move into emerging fields.

Psychologist Roy Baumeister proposed a concept called ego depletion theory, which suggests that willpower functions like a muscle that gradually ①strengthens after repeated use. According to this theory, every act of self-control, from resisting a snack to concentrating on difficult homework, draws from the same ②limited mental resource. As this resource becomes ③depleted throughout the day, later decisions require more effort and are more likely to fail. For instance, someone who exercises discipline avoiding distractions all morning may ④struggle to resist checking a phone by evening. Likewise, dieters report that self-control weakens sharply at night, after hours of resisting food. Some researchers argue that short breaks, adequate sleep, and blood sugar levels can help ⑤restore this depleted resource.

Placing small, inexpensive items near checkout counters ①tempts shoppers who are already waiting in line with little else to do. Online stores achieve a similar effect through countdown timers that create a ②true sense of urgency, suggesting that a deal will vanish within minutes. Bright colors, cheerful music, and pleasant scents are also carefully chosen to put customers in a ③relaxed mood, making them ④less likely to think critically about their spending. Shoppers who understand these strategies are better equipped to ⑤resist them.

Years ago, a small shoe company struggled to compete with larger, well-funded rivals in the market. Its products were solid, but customers rarely remembered the brand after a single purchase. One day, the founder decided to share the story behind the company: how her grandfather had once repaired shoes for factory workers who could not afford new pairs. She began printing this story on every shoebox and posting it across social media. Surprisingly, customers started responding not just to the shoes themselves but to the values the story represented. Sales slowly increased as people felt they were supporting something meaningful rather than simply buying a product. Other companies noticed this shift and began crafting their own narratives, hoping to create similar emotional connections. Eventually, the founder realized that ___________.

Online advertising algorithms analyze enormous amounts of user data to determine which products a person is most likely to purchase. As a result, the ads that appear on a person's screen often feel remarkably specific, sometimes referencing items browsed only minutes earlier. Supporters argue that this level of precision benefits consumers by reducing exposure to irrelevant advertisements and highlighting products they genuinely need. Critics, however, worry that constant exposure to tailored ads can encourage unnecessary spending, since algorithms are specifically designed to identify and exploit individual weaknesses. Because these algorithms operate largely without public oversight, few consumers fully understand how their personal data shapes what they eventually buy. Greater transparency, many experts argue, would ___________.

The gig economy, in which people take on short-term or freelance jobs instead of full-time positions, has grown rapidly over the past decade. This model offers clear advantages: workers can choose when and how much they work, and businesses can hire help only when they actually need it. For many young people entering the job market, gig work provides valuable flexibility that traditional employment rarely allows. However, gig workers often ___________, which full-time employees typically receive. Because their income can fluctuate sharply from month to month, many gig workers struggle to plan their finances confidently.

Ethical consumption has placed new pressure on companies to justify their practices publicly. (A) Yet critics point out that such reports are sometimes little more than carefully worded public relations documents. (B) In response, many corporations now publish detailed reports describing their environmental and labor practices. (C) For this reason, many experts insist that independent audits are necessary to confirm whether ethical claims are genuine.

The Pomodoro Technique was originally developed using a simple kitchen timer shaped like a tomato. (A) Its creator discovered that dividing study time into short, timed intervals made it far easier to maintain concentration than studying for hours without pause. (B) Today, many productivity apps replicate this same twenty-five-minute cycle, allowing users to track their focused sessions digitally. (C) Based on this discovery, he designed a structured cycle of focused work followed by brief rest, which eventually became known worldwide.

As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, questions naturally arise about which human skills will remain irreplaceable. (A) A machine can recommend a treatment plan based on statistics, for example, but it cannot comfort a frightened patient the way a compassionate nurse can. (B) For this reason, educators are placing growing emphasis on skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. (C) Research suggests that AI still struggles with tasks requiring genuine empathy, ethical judgment, and creative problem-solving in unfamiliar situations.

주어진 문장: This is a significant shift from earlier generations, who often stuck with a single trusted brand for years. Generation Z, typically defined as those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, approaches shopping quite differently from previous generations. ( ① ) Having grown up with smartphones and social media, they research products extensively online before making even small purchases. ( ② ) Unlike older generations, who often valued brand loyalty above all else, many members of Generation Z prioritize a company's values, switching brands easily if one no longer matches their beliefs. ( ③ ) They also tend to favor secondhand and resale platforms, viewing sustainability as an important factor rather than an afterthought. ( ④ ) Peer recommendations shared through short videos frequently carry more weight than traditional celebrity endorsements. ( ⑤ ) Businesses that fail to adapt to these preferences risk losing an entire generation of potential customers.