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.

Many people feel a ①sudden wave of anxiety when their smartphone battery is nearly dead or they have left it at home. This ②intense discomfort, known as nomophobia, is short for "no-mobile-phone phobia." Researchers explain that this fear develops because smartphones have become ③tightly linked to social belonging; missing a notification can feel like being cut off from friends. Therefore, experts suggest gradually reducing phone checks to ④strengthen this anxious dependence. Recognizing nomophobia as a real psychological pattern is the first step toward a ⑤healthier relationship with technology.

Soyeon joined an online study group chat where dozens of students planned a class project together every evening. When one member suggested skipping a required survey step to save time, several others ①quickly agreed, and no one raised any objections. Soyeon ②privately worried that skipping the survey might weaken their project, but seeing everyone else nodding along, she stayed ③vocal rather than risk sounding difficult. The group proceeded confidently, convinced their shortcut was harmless, until their teacher pointed out ④serious gaps once the project was submitted. She realized that the chat's friendly, unified atmosphere had actually discouraged critical thinking, making poor decisions feel completely ⑤normal at the time.

Browsing an online store today often means chatting with an AI assistant that asks a few quick questions, such as budget or intended use, before suggesting a short list of products ① tailored to the answers. Unlike a static list of best-sellers, this assistant can adjust its suggestions on the spot, responding to follow-up questions the way a knowledgeable salesperson might in a physical store. Retailers report that shoppers who use these chatbots tend to ② complete purchases more often and return fewer items, since the guided conversation helps buyers choose products that actually fit their needs. Some shoppers, however, remain ③ confident about how personal the questions can feel, wondering how much of that conversation is quietly stored and reused to influence future purchases. Consumer advocates argue that stores should ④ clearly explain what happens to this data, rather than ⑤ burying the explanation in a lengthy privacy policy that almost no one reads.

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 flattering photos and delete posts that might damage their reputation. Such careful curation allows people to present an idealized 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 anxiety and exhaustion. Furthermore, comparing one's own carefully staged life to others' equally staged posts can distort what people believe is normal. Therefore, _______________.

Internet activist Eli Pariser introduced the term filter bubble to describe a phenomenon created by online algorithms. Social media platforms and search engines constantly track which links users click and how long they linger on certain posts. Based on this data, algorithms predict what each individual is most likely to enjoy and quietly prioritize similar content in future results. As a result, two people who type the same search query can receive strikingly different results, each tailored to personal history. This automatic filtering happens silently, without users ever deciding to limit what they see. Consequently, many people gradually lose access to viewpoints that challenge their existing beliefs, even though they never intended to avoid them. Pariser warned that this invisible curation could weaken democratic debate by narrowing public discussion. Therefore, some experts argue that platforms should reveal how content is filtered, _______________.

Sleep debt refers to the cumulative gap between the amount of sleep a person needs and the amount they actually get. Unlike a financial debt, however, this deficit cannot simply be repaid with a single long weekend of rest. When someone loses two hours of sleep every night for a week, the body does not treat the shortage as fourteen separate small losses; instead, it accumulates the deficit, and _______________. Researchers have found that even modest, chronic sleep restriction gradually impairs reaction time and decision-making, often without the affected person noticing the decline. This is because subjective feelings of tiredness tend to plateau after a few days, even as objective performance keeps deteriorating. Consequently, people frequently underestimate how much sleep debt they are carrying until a demanding task suddenly exposes the accumulated cost.

Many people who try digital detox for the first time report feeling anxious within the first few hours. (A) This initial discomfort, sometimes called withdrawal anxiety, tends to fade after a day or two as the mind adjusts to reduced stimulation. (B) Once that adjustment period passes, most participants describe a noticeable sense of calm that they had not expected. (C) This unexpected calm often motivates people to repeat the practice regularly instead of treating it as a one-time experiment.

주어진 문장: Even a short break from checking their phones can trigger a nagging sense of unease. Many teenagers check their social media accounts dozens of times a day, worried that they might miss something important happening among their friends. ( ① ) This anxiety, known as FOMO, or the fear of missing out, arises when people believe that others are enjoying experiences from which they themselves are excluded. ( ② ) For example, a student scrolling 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. ( ③ ) Constantly refreshing feeds to avoid missing such updates, however, makes it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork or conversations happening in the present moment. ( ④ ) Moreover, this endless comparison with curated highlights of other people's lives tends to deepen feelings of anxiety rather than relieve them. ( ⑤ ) Therefore, students should learn to limit their social media use and focus more attention on the relationships and activities directly in front of them.

주어진 문장: She had rehearsed exactly what she would say the moment their eyes finally met. Minji spent nearly every evening watching Jimin, an online creator who streamed cooking videos and chatted casually with her viewers. ( ① ) Over several months, Minji began to feel as though she truly knew Jimin, laughing at her jokes and worrying whenever she mentioned having a difficult week. ( ② ) Whenever Jimin responded to a comment, even a simple one, Minji felt a small thrill of connection, as if they were becoming closer friends. ( ③ ) One day, Minji excitedly waited outside a fan event, hoping that Jimin would recognize her from the countless messages she had sent. ( ④ ) However, Jimin greeted her the same way she greeted every other stranger in line, without any hint of personal recognition. ( ⑤ ) Standing there, Minji slowly realized that the bond she had imagined was entirely one-sided, existing only in her own mind. This type of connection, known as a parasocial relationship, can feel remarkably real despite never being mutual.