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.

Opening most camera apps today reveals a row of filters that can smooth skin, brighten eyes, and reshape a jawline before a photo is even taken, all powered by AI models ① trained to recognize facial features in real time. What began as a playful novelty has become a default setting for many users, subtly ② adjusting nearly every selfie posted online. Psychologists have grown concerned about a specific consequence of this shift: people increasingly compare their unfiltered reflection in a mirror to a filtered version of themselves ③ seeing constantly on a screen, a comparison that earlier generations never had to face. Some social media platforms have responded by ④ labeling heavily edited photos or banning certain filters that alter body shape. Whether such small warnings can meaningfully counter the daily flood of filtered images, however, ⑤ remains an open question that researchers are only beginning to study.

Advertisements often rely on subtle psychological techniques ①that persuade viewers without their conscious awareness. One common method, known as social proof, shows images of many people ②using or enjoying a product, suggesting that its popularity guarantees quality. Another technique appeals to authority, ③featuring experts or professionals endorsing a product to make it seem more credible. Repetition also plays a significant role, since seeing the same advertisement multiple times increases familiarity, ④which people often mistake for reliability. Researchers studying consumer behavior have found that viewers who understand these techniques ⑤is less easily influenced by them.

Imagine a cafeteria where a healthy salad ①sits at eye level while fried snacks rest on a low shelf. Nobody is ②forbidden from choosing the snacks, yet most people quietly pick the salad instead. This simple technique illustrates a nudge, a concept from behavioral economics that gently ③guides people toward better choices without restricting their freedom. 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 ④persuade 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 ⑤rely 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.

Generation Z, typically defined as those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, approaches shopping quite differently from previous generations. ①Having grown up with smartphones and social media, they research products extensively online before making even small purchases. Unlike older generations, ②who often valued brand loyalty above all else, many members of Generation Z prioritize a company's values. They also tend to favor secondhand and resale platforms, ③viewing sustainability as an important factor rather than an afterthought. Peer recommendations ④shared through short videos frequently ⑤carries more weight than traditional celebrity endorsements, since viewers see these creators as relatable rather than distant figures.

Many companies now advertise themselves as environmentally responsible, yet a growing number of these claims turn out to be ①misleading. This practice, known as greenwashing, occurs when a business spends more effort marketing its products as eco-friendly than actually reducing environmental harm. A company might launch a recycled-packaging line while continuing to pollute rivers through its main factories, creating a false impression of genuine change. Such tactics ②deceive well-intentioned consumers who wish to shop responsibly but lack the tools to ③verify corporate claims. In contrast, truly sustainable businesses publish detailed, independently verified data about their emissions and supply chains, allowing outsiders to check their progress. Therefore, shoppers should look beyond vague labels like green or natural and instead search for ④recognized certifications, transparent reports, and measurable targets. Without such scrutiny, greenwashing will keep ⑤declining, undermining public trust and slowing the broader shift toward an economy that truly protects the planet.

As consumers become more aware of global social and environmental issues, many now expect companies to take responsibility beyond simply selling products. This expectation has given rise to ethical consumption, in which shoppers consider factors such as fair wages, humane treatment of animals, and environmental sustainability before making purchases. Companies that ignore these concerns risk public backlash, especially when unethical practices are exposed through investigative journalism or social media. Some corporations have responded by publishing detailed sustainability reports, though critics question whether these documents reflect genuine change or merely serve as public relations tools. Real accountability, according to many experts, requires independent verification rather than self-reported claims that cannot be easily checked. Ultimately, corporate responsibility should be treated as ___________.

Elite athletes rarely walk up to a free throw line or a golf ball without first performing a highly specific sequence of movements, a habit sports psychologists call a pre-performance routine. (A) Researchers have found that athletes who follow a consistent routine tend to show more stable performance under pressure than those who approach each attempt differently. (B) Far from being mere superstition, this consistent sequence serves a genuine cognitive purpose, narrowing an athlete's focus away from distracting thoughts and toward the specific technical cues needed to execute the skill correctly. (C) For this reason, coaches now actively teach young athletes to develop and rehearse individualized routines rather than treating them as personal quirks.

Not all parts of a city experience the same temperature, even when they are located close to one another. (A) Tall buildings packed closely together also block wind, trapping warm air within narrow streets. In contrast, areas with abundant trees and open water naturally stay cooler, since plants release moisture that helps lower surrounding temperatures. (B) To reduce this effect, many cities have begun installing rooftop gardens and expanding public parks, hoping that additional greenery will absorb less heat than pavement does. (C) On a summer evening, downtown streets often feel noticeably hotter than nearby parks or suburban neighborhoods, even after the sun has set. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, occurs when cities retain more heat than surrounding rural areas because of their dense concentration of asphalt, concrete, and buildings. Unlike soil or vegetation, which absorb and release heat gradually, these man-made surfaces absorb sunlight during the day and slowly radiate it back at night, preventing temperatures from cooling.

That advantage in volume, however, says nothing about the quality of each individual reply. When a customer opens a company's website at midnight with a billing question, an actual employee is unlikely to be available, which is exactly the gap that customer service chatbots were built to fill. ( ① ) These programs can instantly answer common questions, track packages, and process simple refunds without making anyone wait on hold. ( ② ) Companies value them because a single chatbot can handle thousands of conversations simultaneously, something no call center could ever match. ( ③ ) Yet the technology has clear boundaries. When a customer's problem is unusual, emotionally charged, or simply does not fit the chatbot's script, the automated replies can feel frustratingly circular, repeating the same suggestion no matter how the question is rephrased. ( ④ ) Many companies have responded by designing chatbots to recognize their own limits, automatically transferring a frustrated customer to a human agent before the conversation turns into a source of complaint rather than a solution. ( ⑤ )