영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory, which ①explains 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 ②who appears more successful, attractive, or accomplished. Social media platforms, filled with carefully edited photos and exaggerated achievements, ③provide 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 ④are somehow inadequate. Unlike comparing oneself with someone in a similar position, which can sometimes boost confidence, upward comparison frequently ⑤triggers envy, dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem.

Color plays a surprisingly powerful role in how consumers perceive brands, often shaping first impressions before a single word is read. Studies suggest that people form judgments about a product within seconds of seeing its packaging, and color accounts for a significant portion of that instant reaction. Blue, for instance, is frequently used by financial and technology companies because it tends to evoke feelings of trust and stability. Red, in contrast, ①are associated with energy and urgency, which ②explains why it appears so often in logos for fast-food chains. Marketers who ③ignore these cultural differences risk sending unintended messages to international audiences. For this reason, companies ④expanding into new markets often ⑤conduct extensive research before finalizing a logo's color scheme.

Jina used to fill her apartment with items she rarely used, believing that owning more things would make her happier. After moving twice within a single year, she grew exhausted from packing boxes filled with clothes she had never worn and gadgets she had forgotten she ①owned. Frustrated, she decided to try a minimalist lifestyle, ②keeping only objects that served a clear purpose or brought her genuine joy. At first, friends ③questioned why she was giving away perfectly good furniture and clothing. Gradually, however, she noticed that her small apartment ④felt calmer and easier to manage. Inspired by her experience, several of her friends began ⑤adopt similar habits, questioning purchases they once made without thinking.

Many people believe that ①building a new habit requires strong willpower or motivation. However, psychologist BJ Fogg argues that habits form more easily when a behavior itself ②become simple to perform. His theory, called the Fogg Behavior Model, states that a behavior happens only when motivation, ability, and a prompt ③occur together. When motivation is low, the model suggests, the task must ④be made extremely easy, or it will not happen at all. For instance, a person who wants to exercise daily succeeds more often by committing to one push-up than to a long workout. Fogg calls this idea the law of least effort, since people naturally choose the option ⑤requiring the least energy.

Before making a purchase, most online shoppers now read reviews written by previous customers rather than relying solely on advertisements. These reviews, posted by people who have no financial connection to the seller, often seem more ①trustworthy than promotional claims. Research shows that products with a large number of positive reviews sell significantly ②more than those with few or no reviews at all. However, fake reviews written by paid writers or even automated programs have become a serious problem, ③undermining consumer trust. Platforms that fail to detect these fraudulent posts risk ④gaining credibility with their users, who expect authentic opinions when making decisions. Ultimately, the power of online reviews depends entirely on their perceived ⑤honesty.

Psychologists who study daily behavior describe habits through a model called the cue-routine-reward loop. This theory explains that every habit ①begins with a cue, a signal that tells the brain to start an ②automatic behavior. The brain then performs a routine, which is the action itself, whether physical or mental. Finally, the brain receives a reward, a ③negative feeling that makes it want to ④repeat the same behavior. For example, a notification sound can act as a cue that leads a student to check a phone, and the relief from boredom becomes the reward. Similarly, opening a refrigerator out of habit rather than hunger shows how a routine can run almost without ⑤conscious thought. Because this loop operates automatically, breaking a bad habit requires changing the routine while keeping the same cue and reward. Understanding this structure helps people redesign daily patterns more effectively than relying on willpower alone.

Generation Z, typically defined as those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, approaches shopping quite differently from previous generations. Having grown up with smartphones and social media, they research products extensively online before making even small purchases. 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. They also tend to favor secondhand and resale platforms, viewing sustainability as an important factor rather than an afterthought. Peer recommendations shared through short videos frequently carry more weight than traditional celebrity endorsements. Businesses that fail to adapt to these preferences risk losing an entire generation of potential customers. Consequently, many companies now ___________.

Time-management researchers frequently mention a principle known as Parkinson's Law, which states that ___________. According to this idea, a task that could be finished in one hour will often stretch to fill an entire afternoon if that much time is scheduled for it. Students who set vague deadlines frequently experience this effect, spending extra hours refining a report that was already complete. Employees given a full week for a simple project may also delay meaningful progress until the final days, even though the actual work requires far less effort. This pattern happens partly because people unconsciously adjust their pace to match perceived urgency. Setting shorter, more specific deadlines can counter this tendency, forcing tasks to fit within a tighter and more realistic window. By recognizing how flexible time encourages unnecessary delay, individuals can complete assignments more efficiently without sacrificing quality.

Sales events are far more psychologically calculated than they first appear. (A) A crossed-out original price, for instance, makes the discounted price seem like an exceptional deal, regardless of whether it truly is one. (B) Retailers rely on specific visual and verbal cues to make shoppers feel they are getting exceptional value. (C) Combined with phrases suggesting limited availability, these cues push customers toward faster, less deliberate purchasing decisions.

Attitudes toward buying used goods have changed dramatically over the past decade. (A) As a result, secondhand shopping has shed much of the stigma it once carried among younger consumers. (B) In the past, purchasing used items was often seen as a sign of financial hardship rather than a deliberate choice. (C) Today, many young shoppers proudly describe their secondhand purchases as smart, sustainable decisions.