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.

Until last spring, Minji rarely thought twice about ①**tossing** a paper cup into the trash after finishing her coffee. Environmental issues seemed 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 ②**expected finding** boring. Instead, watching seabirds mistake plastic fragments for food ③**left** her strangely unsettled, and she found herself thinking about the assignment long after class ended. The next morning, almost without deciding to, she ④**slipped** her old tumbler into her backpack instead of buying a disposable cup on the way to school. It felt like a small, meaningless gesture at first. However, as weeks passed, she realized that consistently choosing the tumbler, ⑤**declining** a plastic straw, and reusing a shopping bag were quietly adding up. Small choices, she discovered, become meaningful once repeated.

Years ago, a small shoe company struggled to compete with larger, well-funded rivals in the market. Its products were ①solid, but customers rarely ②remembered the brand after a single purchase. Sales slowly ③decreased as people felt they were supporting something meaningful rather than simply buying a product. Other companies noticed this shift and began crafting their own narratives, hoping to create similar ④emotional connections. Eventually, the founder realized that a compelling story, told honestly, could turn ordinary customers into ⑤loyal supporters.

As more businesses move their operations online, cyberattacks have become one of the most ①serious threats facing modern companies. In response, demand for cybersecurity professionals has ②decreased across nearly every industry. These specialists design systems that detect suspicious activity, patch vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them, and train employees to recognize phishing attempts. Unlike many technical fields, cybersecurity requires constant learning, since hackers continually develop new methods to ③bypass existing defenses. Despite this expansion, experts estimate that millions of cybersecurity positions worldwide remain ④unfilled, largely because the number of qualified applicants has not kept pace with rapidly increasing demand. This shortage suggests that cybersecurity will remain a ⑤promising career path for years to come.

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.

A smartwatch strapped to a runner's wrist can now do far more than simply count steps; it monitors heart rate variability, running form, and recovery time, then uses that data to suggest a training plan tailored to the individual. When the device detects signs of overtraining, it may recommend a lighter workout or an extra rest day before fatigue turns into an actual injury. Amateur athletes often credit this kind of guidance with helping them train more consistently without pushing their bodies too hard. Sports scientists note an important caveat, however: _______________.

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep, often because the muscles at the back of the throat relax too much and block the airway. (A) Doctors therefore rely less on a patient's own account of the night and more on objective measurements, such as overnight oxygen levels and airflow patterns recorded in a sleep laboratory. (B) Each pause can last from a few seconds to over a minute, and it may occur dozens of times in a single night without the sleeper ever waking up fully. (C) Because these interruptions rarely produce a clear memory the next morning, many people remain unaware that anything is wrong, even as chronic fatigue, headaches, and irritability build up over months.

주어진 문장: After all, ignoring proven facts might seem like an irrational thing to do. When people encounter solid scientific evidence about climate change, we might expect them to accept it without hesitation. ( ① ) However, many individuals still dismiss or downplay such evidence, and psychologists explain this pattern through a concept called motivated reasoning. ( ② ) Motivated reasoning refers to the tendency to process information in a way that protects one's existing beliefs, identity, or lifestyle rather than to pursue objective truth. ( ③ ) For example, a person whose livelihood depends on the fossil fuel industry may unconsciously search for reasons to doubt climate data, even while claiming to value scientific accuracy. ( ④ ) This happens because accepting uncomfortable facts can threaten a person's sense of self or demand costly lifestyle changes. ( ⑤ ) Therefore, simply presenting more data rarely persuades a committed skeptic. Instead, experts suggest connecting climate information to values the person already holds, such as family safety or economic stability, so that acceptance feels natural rather than threatening.

주어진 문장: Even small purchasing decisions, they argue, can accumulate into meaningful pressure on how companies operate. Value-based consumption refers to the practice of spending money on products or experiences that align with a person's personal beliefs, even if cheaper alternatives exist. ( ① ) Rather than simply seeking the lowest price, value-conscious consumers consider factors such as labor conditions, environmental impact, and community benefit before making a purchase. ( ② ) Some critics dismiss this approach as impractical, arguing that most people cannot afford to prioritize ethics over affordability in daily life. ( ③ ) However, supporters point out that value-based spending does not require constant sacrifice; it often means buying fewer, higher-quality items rather than accumulating cheap goods that wear out quickly. ( ④ ) This shift also encourages companies to improve their practices, since consumer demand increasingly rewards transparency and responsibility. ( ⑤ ) For example, a clothing brand that openly shares its supply chain information may attract loyal customers willing to pay slightly more.

주어진 문장: This is why many people find it especially difficult to maintain healthy eating habits after a long, stressful day at work. Psychologist Roy Baumeister proposed a concept called ego depletion theory, which suggests that willpower functions like a muscle that gradually tires after repeated use. ( ① ) According to this theory, every act of self-control, from resisting a snack to concentrating on difficult homework, draws from the same limited mental resource. ( ② ) As this resource becomes depleted throughout the day, later decisions require more effort and are more likely to fail. ( ③ ) For instance, someone who exercises discipline avoiding distractions all morning may struggle to resist checking a phone by evening. Likewise, dieters report that self-control weakens sharply at night, after hours of resisting food. ( ④ ) Some researchers argue that short breaks, adequate sleep, and blood sugar levels can help restore this depleted resource. ( ⑤ ) Although later studies have questioned how strong this effect is, the theory still offers a useful framework for understanding why willpower seems to fade throughout a long day.