영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

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

Many people struggling to fall asleep in noisy environments turn to white noise machines, devices that ① emit a steady, uniform sound covering a broad range of frequencies. The appeal lies in a phenomenon called auditory masking, in which a constant background sound makes sudden noises ② less noticeable to the sleeping brain. Without this masking effect, an abrupt change in sound is far more likely ③ to trigger a brief awakening, even if the sleeper does not consciously remember it the next morning. Studies comparing sleep in quiet rooms with sleep alongside white noise have found that participants using white noise ④ experienced fewer of these brief awakenings. However, researchers caution that the benefit depends heavily on volume and consistency, since noise that is too loud or that ⑤ varying unpredictably can itself become a source of disruption rather than a remedy.

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.

Sociologist Mark Granovetter introduced an idea that seems ①contradictory at first glance, known as the strength of weak ties. According to this theory, people who see each other only ②occasionally, called weak ties, often provide more valuable information than close friends or family members, who are considered strong ties. This happens because strong ties tend to share the same social circles and, therefore, already possess ③similar knowledge. Weak ties, in contrast, move within different networks, which allows them to introduce ideas or opportunities that would otherwise remain unknown. For example, a former classmate rarely contacted might mention a job opening unavailable through one's immediate circle. Social media platforms have made maintaining such connections remarkably ④harder, letting users keep hundreds of loose acquaintances active without frequent face-to-face meetings. Consequently, these platforms function as efficient channels through which weak ties continue delivering ⑤fresh opportunities that close relationships simply cannot offer.

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.

Adaptive learning apps promise something no traditional classroom can easily offer: a lesson plan that adjusts itself to each individual student in real time. As a student answers practice questions, the app ① tracks which concepts are mastered and which remain shaky, then quietly reshuffles the next set of problems to target the weaker areas. Early studies suggest that this ② personalized pacing can help struggling students catch up faster than a one-size-fits-all worksheet ever could. However, critics ③ caution that an app cannot replace the encouragement, humor, and flexibility a human teacher brings to a lesson, especially when a student is frustrated rather than simply behind. There is also a subtler concern: students who grow used to ④ instant, algorithm-generated feedback may struggle later with the slower, more ambiguous kind of feedback that real-world tasks and mentors typically provide, which could ⑤ strengthen their ability to handle uncertainty outside the app.

Carbon neutrality refers to a state in which the amount of greenhouse gases a country or company releases into the atmosphere is balanced by the amount it removes, resulting in zero net emissions. Achieving this goal typically requires several sequential stages rather than a single sudden action. First, organizations attempt to reduce emissions directly by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Next, they improve efficiency throughout their operations, minimizing the energy wasted during production and transportation. Only after these direct measures have been maximized do most organizations turn to _______________. Critics argue, however, that some companies exploit offsetting too early, using it to avoid making genuine reductions. Therefore, experts insist that a credible roadmap must always prioritize actual emission cuts before relying on compensation.

As technology continues to reshape nearly every profession, the idea of finishing education after graduation has become outdated. Workers who once expected their initial training to last an entire career now find that skills can become obsolete within just a few years. Lifelong learning, therefore, ___________. Many professionals now take short online courses, attend workshops, or earn new certifications while continuing to work full-time.

Imagine a cafeteria where a healthy salad sits at eye level while fried snacks rest on a low shelf. Nobody is forbidden from choosing the snacks, yet most people quietly pick the salad instead. This simple technique illustrates a nudge, a concept from behavioral economics _______________. Companies and governments increasingly apply nudges to encourage sustainable consumption. For example, some hotels print reminders on towels stating that most guests reuse them, which persuades new guests to do the same and save water. Similarly, energy bills that compare a household's usage with that of efficient neighbors often lead people to reduce electricity use. Unlike strict regulations or heavy taxes, nudges rely on subtle changes in design rather than force. Critics argue nudges alone cannot solve large environmental problems, but combined with stronger policies, they can meaningfully shift everyday habits toward sustainability.

Climate change deniers often seem to ignore evidence that contradicts their views, and psychologists have a specific explanation for this behavior. (A) For example, someone whose job depends on fossil fuels may search for reasons to doubt the data, even while insisting that they respect science. (B) This concept, called motivated reasoning, describes how people process information in ways that protect their existing beliefs and lifestyles rather than pursue objective truth. (C) Rather than being a simple failure of intelligence, this pattern reflects a well-documented psychological tendency studied for decades.