영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

For centuries, dreams have ① fascinated scientists and philosophers alike, yet no single theory fully explains why the sleeping brain generates such vivid and often bizarre experiences. One prominent idea suggests that dreaming helps the brain process emotional experiences, replaying difficult events in a ② safe, low-stakes environment so that their emotional intensity gradually fades. Another theory proposes that dreams serve a more practical function, allowing the brain to ③ ignore responses to threats without any real danger, a kind of nightly simulation that may have offered early humans a survival advantage. 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 ④ information rather than serving any independent purpose of its own. Because these theories rest on indirect evidence, none has been ⑤ conclusively proven.

Many companies today advertise their products as environmentally friendly, yet not all of these claims are ①accurate. Consumers, who are increasingly ②concerned about climate change, often trust such claims without questioning them closely. As a result, they may pay ③higher prices for products that are no more sustainable than ordinary alternatives. Genuine environmental efforts, which usually require significant investment and long-term planning, are far more ④costly than simply changing a label. Therefore, governments should establish clear standards that require companies to prove their environmental claims with ⑤unverifiable data.

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 ①immediately or wait for two. Researchers found that children who waited ②longer showed better academic performance and self-control years later. This ability to ③resist an immediate reward in favor of a larger future one 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. At first, resisting small purchases felt surprisingly ④easy, especially when her friends were eating out. After three months, however, she had ⑤saved enough to buy a bicycle she had wanted for over a year.

Companies argue that this approach benefits consumers by showing advertisements that are more ①relevant to their actual interests rather than random, generic promotions. However, many critics contend that this level of tracking raises serious concerns about privacy, since users rarely understand how ②extensively their behavior is being monitored. Furthermore, personalized advertising can trap users in a narrow bubble, ③limiting their exposure to alternatives. Supporters counter that consumers who dislike targeted ads can simply adjust their privacy settings, though ④few people actually take the time to do so. Given these competing concerns, policymakers must strike a ⑤careless balance between allowing innovation and protecting individual privacy rights.

Smartphones, tablets, and computer screens all emit a significant amount of blue light, a short-wavelength light that our eyes are especially sensitive to. During the day, exposure to blue light from the sun helps keep us alert and mentally sharp, which is generally beneficial. At night, however, the same wavelength can interfere with the body's natural preparation for sleep. Specialized cells in the retina detect blue light and send signals to the brain's internal clock, which results in _______________. Studies have found that people who scroll through their phones in bed before sleeping take longer to fall asleep and experience lighter, more easily disrupted sleep than those who avoid screens. Some devices now offer a night mode that shifts the display toward warmer tones, reducing blue light output in the evening. While this feature may help slightly, sleep researchers generally recommend limiting screen use altogether in the hour before bedtime for the best results.

In the days leading up to an endurance event, many athletes deliberately increase their carbohydrate intake while reducing training volume, a practice known as carbohydrate loading. (A) Because glycogen serves as the primary fuel source during prolonged, intense exercise, entering an event with fuller stores can delay the point of exhaustion that runners often call hitting the wall. (B) Sports nutritionists caution, however, that the timing and composition of meals matter as much as the total quantity of carbohydrate consumed. (C) The strategy is designed to maximize the amount of glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrate, packed into muscle tissue before competition begins.

Job seekers often assume that their closest friends will be the most helpful source of career advice. (A) In fact, studies show that a surprising number of job offers come through acquaintances met only briefly at conferences or previous workplaces. (B) However, close friends usually work in the same field or social circle, so their knowledge of new openings tends to overlap with what the job seeker already knows. (C) This is because such acquaintances belong to different professional circles, giving them access to information that never reaches close friends.

주어진 문장: This influence is so strong that many companies actively encourage customers to leave feedback after each purchase. Before making a purchase, most online shoppers now read reviews written by previous customers rather than relying solely on advertisements. ( ① ) These reviews, posted by people who have no financial connection to the seller, often seem more trustworthy than promotional claims. ( ② ) Research shows that products with a large number of positive reviews sell significantly more than those with few or no reviews at all. ( ③ ) However, fake reviews written by paid writers or even automated programs have become a serious problem, undermining consumer trust. ( ④ ) Platforms that fail to detect these fraudulent posts risk losing credibility with their users. ( ⑤ ) Ultimately, the power of online reviews depends entirely on their perceived honesty.

주어진 문장: This term captured exactly what had happened in her own chat room months earlier. Soyeon joined an online study group chat where dozens of students planned a class project together every evening. ( ① ) When one member suggested skipping a required survey step to save time, several others quickly agreed, and no one raised any objections. ( ② ) Soyeon privately worried that skipping the survey might weaken their project, but seeing everyone else nodding along, she stayed silent rather than risk sounding difficult. ( ③ ) The group proceeded confidently, convinced their shortcut was harmless, until their teacher pointed out serious gaps once the project was submitted. ( ④ ) Afterward, Soyeon learned about groupthink, a concept introduced by psychologist Irving Janis, describing how tightly connected groups often suppress doubts in order to maintain harmony and reach quick agreement. ( ⑤ ) She realized that the chat's friendly, unified atmosphere had actually discouraged critical thinking, making poor decisions feel completely normal at the time.

This is precisely why an experienced athlete returning after an injury often regains sharp form faster than a complete beginner ever could. Anyone who has ridden a bicycle after a decade away from one has likely experienced muscle memory firsthand: the body seems to recall a complex skill almost instantly, even when conscious memory of the exact movements has faded. ( ① ) Contrary to what the name suggests, muscles themselves do not actually store memories; the phenomenon originates in the brain and nervous system, where repeated practice gradually shifts control of a well-learned movement from regions associated with conscious thought to areas that operate largely automatically. ( ② ) This shift explains why a skilled athlete can execute a complicated sequence of movements without consciously thinking through each individual step, freeing mental attention for strategy and decision-making instead. ( ③ ) Interestingly, research also suggests that these neural pathways can remain partially intact even after long periods without practice, which is why relearning a skill is typically much faster than learning it for the very first time. ( ④ ) Coaches often exploit this principle by ensuring that fundamental techniques are practiced correctly from the very beginning. ( ⑤ )