영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Imagine two factories ①**making** the same product: one in a country with strict carbon rules, and one in a country with almost none. The factory facing stricter rules often spends more, which can make its goods pricier than those ②**made** elsewhere. To fix this imbalance, some governments have introduced the carbon border adjustment mechanism, a policy charging imported goods a fee based on how much carbon ③**were released** while producing them. Supporters argue that the system protects domestic industries and ④**pushes** foreign manufacturers toward cleaner methods. However, critics claim it unfairly burdens developing countries, which often lack money to modernize factories quickly. For example, a small exporter in a poorer nation might struggle to pay the added charge, though it contributes little to global emissions. Still, if wealthier nations pair the policy with technical support, it could become a genuinely fair tool for ⑤**cutting** emissions worldwide.

Until last spring, Minji ①**rarely** thought twice about tossing a paper cup into the trash after finishing her coffee. Environmental issues seemed ②**distant**, something scientists and politicians should handle rather than an ordinary student like her. That changed when her class was assigned a documentary about plastic waste drifting through the ocean, footage she initially expected to find boring. Instead, watching seabirds mistake plastic fragments for food left her strangely ③**comforted**, and she found herself thinking about the assignment long after class ended. The next morning, almost without deciding to, she slipped her old tumbler into her backpack instead of buying a disposable cup on the way to school. It felt like a small, ④**meaningless** gesture at first. However, as weeks passed, she realized that consistently choosing the tumbler, declining a plastic straw, and reusing a shopping bag were quietly ⑤**adding up**. Small choices, she discovered, become meaningful once repeated.

Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory, which explains that people ①evaluate 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 who appears more ②successful, attractive, or accomplished. For instance, a teenager browsing vacation pictures posted by classmates may begin to feel that her own ordinary life is somehow ③inadequate. Unlike comparing oneself with someone in a similar position, which can sometimes ④boost confidence, upward comparison frequently triggers envy, dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem. Researchers have found that frequent upward comparison online is linked to ⑤lower depression and anxiety.

Telemedicine, which allows patients to consult doctors through video calls rather than in-person visits, has expanded rapidly since its early ①adoption. Supporters argue that this approach saves patients considerable time and makes healthcare ②accessible to people living in remote areas without nearby hospitals. However, critics contend that virtual appointments can ③easily replace physical examinations, which remain essential for detecting certain conditions. They also worry that elderly patients unfamiliar with technology may ④struggle to access these services effectively. Despite such concerns, most healthcare experts believe telemedicine will continue to grow, ⑤complementing rather than replacing traditional in-person care.

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 ___________.

Many companies now advertise themselves as environmentally responsible, yet a growing number of these claims turn out to be misleading. This practice, known as greenwashing, _______________. 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 deceive well-intentioned consumers who wish to shop responsibly but lack the tools to verify 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 recognized certifications, transparent reports, and measurable targets. Without such scrutiny, greenwashing will keep flourishing, undermining public trust and slowing the broader shift toward an economy that truly protects the planet.

When a beverage company launched a new flavor last summer, the marketing team faced a tight budget and needed a creative solution. Instead of relying on expensive television commercials, they designed a simple dance challenge and invited a handful of everyday users to post videos using the product. Within days, thousands of people began recreating the dance and tagging the brand, turning an ordinary product launch into a viral trend. The company barely spent any money on production, yet the challenge reached millions of viewers across multiple platforms. Encouraged by this success, other brands quickly attempted similar challenges, though many failed to generate the same excitement. Researchers later explained that the original challenge succeeded because it felt spontaneous and fun rather than obviously commercial. This case demonstrates that ___________.

Retailers rarely leave the shopping environment to chance. (A) For instance, cheerful background music and pleasant lighting are chosen specifically to keep shoppers relaxed and unhurried. (B) Every detail, from store layout to background music, is carefully designed to influence customer behavior. (C) As a result, customers often spend more time browsing and end up buying items they never intended to purchase.

None of these explanations, in other words, has to be the whole story. For centuries, dreams have fascinated scientists and philosophers alike, yet no single theory fully explains why the sleeping brain generates such vivid and often bizarre experiences. ( ① ) One prominent idea suggests that dreaming helps the brain process emotional experiences, replaying difficult events in a safe, low-stakes environment so that their emotional intensity gradually fades. ( ② ) Another theory proposes that dreams serve a more practical function, allowing the brain to rehearse responses to threats without any real danger, a kind of nightly simulation that may have offered early humans a survival advantage. ( ③ ) Still other researchers argue that dreaming is simply a byproduct of the brain organizing memories, with vivid imagery arising as the mind sorts through the day's information rather than serving any independent purpose of its own. ( ④ ) Because these theories rest on indirect evidence rather than direct observation of subjective experience, none has been conclusively proven. ( ⑤ ) Many scientists now suspect that dreaming may serve several of these functions simultaneously rather than just one.

주어진 문장: She walked into the interview room feeling confident, certain that her past online activity had nothing to do with her qualifications. When Minji was in ninth grade, she posted a joking comment mocking a classmate's photo, never imagining anyone would remember it later. ( ① ) Three years passed, and she nearly forgot the comment existed, buried among hundreds of old posts. ( ② ) Last spring, she applied to join her school's student council, hoping her leadership experience would impress the selection committee. ( ③ ) During the interview, however, one teacher mentioned having seen an old, unkind comment under Minji's name while reviewing applicants' profiles. ( ④ ) Startled, Minji realized that everything she had ever posted online had quietly accumulated into what is called a digital footprint, a lasting trail of personal data left behind by online activity. ( ⑤ ) Although she deleted the comment immediately, the damage to her reputation had already been done. She understood that digital footprints rarely disappear completely, even when the original posts are removed, because screenshots and memories often outlast the content itself.