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.

Psychologist Roy Baumeister proposed a concept ①called ego depletion theory, which suggests that willpower functions like a muscle that gradually tires after repeated use. According to this theory, every act of self-control, from resisting a snack to concentrating on difficult homework, ②draws from the same limited mental resource. As this resource becomes depleted throughout the day, later decisions ③require more effort and are more likely to fail. For instance, someone who exercises discipline avoiding distractions all morning may struggle ④to 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 restore this depleted resource. Although later studies have questioned how strong this effect is, the theory still ⑤offer a useful framework for understanding why willpower seems to fade throughout a long day.

The gig economy, in which people take on short-term or freelance jobs, ①has grown rapidly over the past decade. Digital platforms now connect customers directly with drivers, designers, and writers, ②allowing workers to choose when and how much they work. Businesses, meanwhile, can hire help only when they ③actually need it. For many young people entering the job market, gig work provides valuable flexibility ④that traditional employment rarely allows. However, gig workers often lack benefits such as health insurance, which full-time employees typical ⑤receive.

Modern factories increasingly rely on collaborative robots, often called cobots, which are designed to work ①safely alongside human employees. Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate behind safety cages, cobots use sensors to detect nearby workers and adjust their movements accordingly. Cobots typically handle repetitive or physically demanding tasks, while human workers focus on tasks that require ②judgment and fine motor skills. This division of labor increases overall ③efficiency, since each side contributes what it does best. Manufacturers who have introduced cobots report ④more workplace injuries, largely because employees no longer perform exhausting repetitive motions all day. As the technology becomes more affordable, smaller companies are also beginning to ⑤adopt cobots.

Automation is transforming labor markets more ①quickly than economists predicted a decade ago. Factories once staffed by hundreds of workers now rely on robotic arms that assemble products with remarkable ②precision. This shift does not simply eliminate jobs; it also creates roles that never existed before, so technicians who maintain robotic equipment are now in high ③demand. Companies that invested early in automation often report steady increases in productivity, since machines handle repetitive tasks while employees focus on ④creative problem-solving. Without proper retraining support, the benefits of automation may not be shared fairly, ⑤narrowing inequality between skilled and unskilled labor.

As companies collect enormous amounts of personal data to improve their products and target advertisements, serious ethical questions have emerged about how that information should be handled. Employees who work with big data now face ①minimal responsibilities that previous generations rarely encountered, since a single careless decision can expose millions of people's private information. Some argue that strict regulations should govern data collection, even if such rules ②slow innovation and increase costs for businesses. Others insist that self-regulation within companies, guided by clear ethical training, can protect consumers just as ③effectively without stifling progress. Most experts agree that professionals handling sensitive data must be trained not only in technical skills but also in ethical ④decision-making. Universities have begun adding data ethics courses, recognizing that future employees will need to ⑤balance innovation with responsibility.

One common method, known as social proof, shows images of many people using or enjoying a product, suggesting that its ①popularity guarantees quality. Another technique appeals to authority, featuring experts or professionals endorsing a product to make it seem more ②credible and trustworthy. Repetition also plays a significant role, since seeing the same advertisement multiple times ③decreases familiarity, which people often mistake for reliability. Researchers studying consumer behavior have found that viewers who understand these techniques are less easily ④influenced by them, since awareness disrupts the automatic psychological response advertisers depend on. For this reason, media literacy programs increasingly teach students to ⑤recognize persuasive techniques hidden within everyday advertisements.

Retailers frequently rely on sales events to boost short-term revenue, but the psychology behind these promotions is more complex than simple discounting. When a price is crossed out and replaced with a lower number, consumers instinctively perceive the new price as a bargain, even if the original price was rarely charged. This technique, known as anchoring, shapes how shoppers judge value by comparing prices rather than evaluating a product on its own merits. Retailers also use phrases such as "while supplies last" to suggest scarcity, even when inventory remains plentiful. Over time, frequent sales can actually train customers to wait for discounts rather than buy at full price, which can hurt long-term profits. Despite this risk, many companies continue relying on sales events because ___________.

The growing presence of AI in creative fields has sparked lively discussion among artists and critics alike. (A) In contrast, some artists worry that relying too heavily on such tools may weaken the value placed on original human creativity. (B) Many artists have embraced AI as a way to explore new styles quickly and overcome creative blocks. (C) Given these opposing views, most experts now agree that AI works best as a partner rather than a replacement for human creators.

The classification of platform workers has become one of the most debated issues in modern labor law. (A) For this reason, companies generally prefer classifying these workers as independent contractors rather than full employees. (B) Being classified this way, however, means workers miss out on protections such as minimum wage and paid leave. (C) Employee status requires companies to provide benefits and follow strict labor regulations, which increases operating costs.