영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Anthropologist Robin Dunbar ①proposed a concept now known as Dunbar's number, suggesting that human beings can only maintain about one hundred fifty stable social relationships at any given time. This limit, he argued, comes from the size of the human brain, ②which restricts how many meaningful connections a person can cognitively manage. In contrast, many social media users today have hundreds or even thousands of online friends and followers, a number far ③exceeding what Dunbar's research predicts. However, having numerous digital contacts does not necessarily mean that all of these relationships ④are close or emotionally supportive. Most users, when asked, admit that they interact regularly with only a small fraction of their total followers, while the rest remain ⑤largely unnoticing.

Many teenagers check their social media accounts dozens of times a day, worried that they might miss something important happening among their friends. This anxiety, known as FOMO, or the fear of missing out, ①arises when people believe that others are enjoying experiences from which they themselves are excluded. For example, a student ②scrolling through photos of a party she was not invited to may suddenly feel a wave of loneliness and regret, even though the event has already ended. Constantly ③refreshed feeds to avoid missing such updates, however, makes it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or conversations happening in the present moment. Moreover, this endless comparison with curated highlights of other people's lives tends to ④deepen feelings of anxiety rather than relieve them. Therefore, students should learn ⑤to limit their social media use and focus more attention on the relationships and activities directly in front of them.

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.

Jina used to fill her apartment with items she rarely used, believing that owning more things would make her ①happier. After moving twice within a single year, she grew ②energized from packing boxes filled with clothes she had never worn and gadgets she had forgotten she owned. Gradually, however, she noticed that her small apartment felt ③calmer and easier to manage. She also realized that she spent significantly ④less money once she stopped buying things impulsively to fill emotional gaps. Jina's story reflects a broader trend among young adults who increasingly value experiences and simplicity over ⑤accumulating possessions.

Psychologists have long studied a mechanism called the variable reward schedule, in which rewards arrive ①predictably 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 how many they will eventually receive. This uncertainty triggers a small burst of dopamine each time the phone is checked, regardless of whether the result is ②disappointing or thrilling. Consequently, users often refresh their feeds ③compulsively, hoping the next check will finally bring a satisfying reward. What makes this troubling is that technology companies ④deliberately designed notification systems using insights borrowed from gambling research, rather than stumbling upon them by accident. Such practices raise serious ethical questions about ⑤manipulating users' brains for profit.

Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory, which explains that people ①evaluate 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 ②successful, attractive, or accomplished. For instance, a teenager browsing vacation pictures posted by classmates may begin to feel that her own ordinary life is somehow ③inadequate. Unlike comparing oneself with someone in a similar position, which can sometimes ④boost confidence, upward comparison frequently triggers envy, dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem. Researchers have found that frequent upward comparison online is linked to ⑤lower depression and anxiety.

Sociologist Erving Goffman argued that people constantly perform for others, much like actors managing their image on a stage, a concept known as impression management. This idea applies vividly to social media, where users select ①flattering photos and delete posts that might damage their reputation. Such careful curation allows people to present an ②idealized version of themselves that emphasizes achievements while hiding struggles or ordinary moments. However, when this performance becomes constant, a troubling gap can form between one's authentic self and the polished character displayed online. Maintaining that gap requires considerable emotional energy, and studies suggest it often leads to ③anxiety and exhaustion. Furthermore, comparing one's own carefully staged life to others' equally staged posts can ④distort what people believe is normal. Therefore, individuals should recognize that some self-presentation online is inevitable, but they must also ⑤ignore space where imperfection is allowed to remain visible.

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, _______________.

Consumers today are bombarded with eco-friendly slogans on almost every product they buy. (A) Behind many of these slogans, however, lies a deceptive practice called greenwashing, in which companies exaggerate their environmental efforts without making real changes. (B) Consumers can avoid being fooled by such tactics by checking for recognized certifications and transparent, independently verified reports rather than trusting catchy labels alone. (C) For instance, a firm may highlight one eco-friendly product line while its factories continue to pollute rivers and emit large amounts of carbon.

주어진 문장: Fortunately, this cycle is not impossible to reverse. An echo chamber refers to an online environment where people are mainly exposed to opinions that already match their own beliefs. ( ① ) This phenomenon occurs because social media algorithms tend to recommend content similar to what users have previously liked or shared, gradually narrowing the range of perspectives they encounter. ( ② ) As a result, individuals inside an echo chamber rarely engage with viewpoints that challenge their existing assumptions, which allows their original beliefs to grow increasingly extreme over time. ( ③ ) For example, someone who frequently reads articles supporting one political party may begin to see the opposing party as entirely unreasonable, having never seriously considered its arguments. ( ④ ) Political polarization, a significant issue in many countries today, is often linked to this pattern of selective exposure. ( ⑤ ) Breaking out of an echo chamber requires deliberately seeking information from diverse sources, even when those sources present uncomfortable or unfamiliar ideas.