영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Sociologist Mark Granovetter introduced an idea that seems contradictory at first glance, known as the strength of weak ties. According to this theory, people who see each other only occasionally, called weak ties, often ①provide 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 similar knowledge. Weak ties, in contrast, move within different networks, which ②allows 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 easier, letting users ③keeping hundreds of loose acquaintances active without frequent face-to-face meetings. Consequently, these platforms function as efficient channels through which weak ties continue ④delivering fresh opportunities that close relationships simply cannot ⑤offer.

Psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory, which explains 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 who appears more successful, attractive, or accomplished. Social media platforms, filled with carefully edited photos and exaggerated achievements, provide 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 is somehow inadequate. Unlike comparing oneself with someone in a similar position, which can sometimes boost confidence, upward comparison frequently triggers envy, dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem. Researchers have found that frequent upward comparison online is linked to higher depression and anxiety. Consequently, this theory helps explain why ___________.

When Mina was a freshman, she often spent her allowance within a few days. Her older cousin told her about the marshmallow experiment, a famous study in which children could eat one marshmallow immediately or wait for two. Researchers found that children who waited longer showed better academic performance and self-control years later. This ___________ is known as delayed gratification. Inspired by the study, Mina began saving half of her allowance each week instead of spending it all on snacks.

When Daniel was a child, he dreamed of becoming an astronaut, yet he assumed such careers belonged only to a handful of government scientists. During an internship, he helped design a small satellite intended to monitor crop health from orbit, a project that combined engineering with agricultural science. He realized that ___________. After graduation, Daniel joined a startup developing lunar landing equipment, a job that barely existed when he first imagined his future career.

Artificial intelligence has begun to play a surprising role in creative industries once thought to be uniquely human. Some artists welcome this technology, using AI tools to explore new styles or overcome creative blocks that once took weeks to resolve. Others, however, argue that AI-generated art lacks the emotional depth that comes from genuine human experience. Despite this debate, most experts agree that AI is unlikely to fully replace artists anytime soon. Instead, it ___________, helping creators experiment faster while leaving final artistic decisions to humans.

Behavioral economists have long studied how small changes in choice environments affect human decisions. (A) 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 that gently guides people toward better choices without restricting their freedom. (B) 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. (C) 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.

The subscription economy has changed the way many people think about ownership. (A) As a result, companies can predict their income more accurately and plan their operations accordingly. (B) Rather than buying products outright, consumers increasingly prefer paying small recurring fees for continued access. (C) This shift benefits businesses as well, since steady monthly payments create a stable source of revenue.

The rise of big data has introduced ethical dilemmas that earlier generations of workers never had to consider. (A) Some believe that strict government regulations are necessary, even if such rules slow down innovation and raise costs for businesses. (B) Others argue that companies can regulate themselves effectively through clear ethical training, without needing heavy-handed government intervention. (C) A single careless decision, after all, can expose the private information of millions of people almost instantly.

Software development teams are especially known for missing their own deadlines by wide margins. (A) A team asked to estimate a new project usually imagines everything proceeding smoothly, without bugs, meetings, or unexpected requests. (B) To avoid repeating this mistake, some teams now review how long their last three similar projects actually took before setting a new deadline. (C) Because this imagined version rarely matches reality, the original deadline is missed almost every time, often by weeks or months.

주어진 문장: Yet not every worker benefits equally from these changes. Automation is transforming labor markets more quickly than economists predicted a decade ago. ( ① ) Factories once staffed by hundreds of workers now rely on robotic arms that assemble products with remarkable precision. ( ② ) This shift does not simply eliminate jobs; it also creates roles that never existed before, such as technicians who maintain robotic equipment. ( ③ ) Companies that invested early in automation often report steady increases in productivity, since machines handle repetitive tasks while employees focus on creative problem-solving. ( ④ ) Policymakers argue that retraining programs are essential to help displaced workers move into emerging fields. ( ⑤ ) Without such support, the benefits of automation may not be shared fairly across society.