영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Value-based consumption refers to the practice of spending money on products or experiences ①that align with a person's personal beliefs, even if cheaper alternatives exist. Some critics dismiss this approach as impractical, ②arguing that most people cannot afford to prioritize ethics over affordability in daily life. However, supporters point out that value-based spending does not require constant sacrifice; it often means ③buying fewer, higher-quality items rather than accumulating cheap goods that wear out quickly. This shift also encourages companies ④improve their practices, since consumer demand increasingly rewards transparency and responsibility. For example, a clothing brand that openly shares its supply chain information may attract loyal customers ⑤willing to pay slightly more.

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.

A rational approach to decision-making dictates that only future costs and benefits should influence a choice, since resources already spent ①cannot be recovered regardless of what is decided next. In practice, however, people routinely allow such irrecoverable expenditures, known as sunk costs, ②to shape their subsequent decisions, a pattern referred to as the sunk cost fallacy. A moviegoer who finds a film thoroughly disappointing after the first thirty minutes will often remain in the theater until the credits roll, ③reasoning that leaving early would somehow waste the money already spent on the ticket. Organizations exhibit the same fallacy on a larger scale: a company that ④have invested heavily in a failing project frequently continues funding it, arguing that abandoning the project now would render the prior investment meaningless. Yet continuing to invest in a venture destined to fail merely adds new losses to old ones, ⑤compounding the very waste the decision-makers hoped to avoid.

Our school's book club, Page Turners, meets every Wednesday to discuss a book the members ①chose. At the start of each month, students suggest titles and vote to pick one. This way, everyone feels some ownership over what the club reads next. Before each meeting, members read several chapters and ②prepare a few questions. During the meeting, the leader opens discussion by ③asking a question about the story's main idea. Then members take turns ④sharing their opinions, even when they disagree with each other. For example, students once argued for a long time about a character's difficult choice. Such debates, though sometimes loud, help members understand different points of view. At the end of the semester, the club holds an event ⑤recommending favorite books.

Audiobooks have grown rapidly in popularity over the past several years. Some traditional readers argue that listening to a book is not the same as truly reading it, because the listener does not process written words directly. However, researchers who study this question have found that comprehension scores for listeners and readers are usually very similar, as long as the material is not too complex. The biggest difference tends to appear with dense, technical material. For most everyday reading, however, _______________.

Retailers use a variety of techniques designed to encourage customers to make unplanned purchases. Placing small, inexpensive items near checkout counters, for example, tempts shoppers who are already waiting in line with little else to do. Online stores achieve a similar effect through countdown timers that create a false sense of urgency, suggesting that a deal will vanish within minutes. Bright colors, cheerful music, and pleasant scents are also carefully chosen to put customers in a relaxed mood, making them less likely to think critically about their spending. Critics argue that these tactics ___________. Supporters of the industry insist that such techniques merely make shopping more enjoyable and are not inherently deceptive.

The Hillside Community Center is recruiting student volunteers for its summer programs. (A) No prior experience is necessary, since training will be provided on the first day. (B) Volunteers will help with tutoring younger children, organizing books, and assisting elderly residents. (C) Because the number of positions is limited, students should apply online before July 10th.

Consequently, even seasoned professionals who believe themselves immune to such influence often fail to notice how much their final judgment has shifted. The anchoring effect can be surprisingly resistant to conscious correction. ( ① ) Even when individuals are explicitly warned in advance that a number they are about to see is randomly generated and therefore meaningless, their subsequent estimates still drift toward that arbitrary figure. ( ② ) This occurs because the mind uses the initial number as a starting point and then adjusts insufficiently away from it, a process that leaves the final judgment biased toward the anchor. ( ③ ) Experimental studies have repeatedly demonstrated this effect across a wide range of tasks, from estimating historical dates to appraising real estate. ( ④ ) The bias persists not because people lack expertise, but because the adjustment process itself is inherently incomplete. ( ⑤ ) Awareness of the anchoring effect, therefore, does not guarantee immunity from it, which is precisely what makes the bias so difficult to counteract in practice.

주어진 문장: In reality, however, that "original" price was sometimes never actually charged to any customer. Retailers frequently rely on sales events to boost short-term revenue, but the psychology behind these promotions is more complex than simple discounting. ( ① ) When a price is crossed out and replaced with a lower number, consumers instinctively perceive the new price as a bargain. ( ② ) This technique, known as anchoring, shapes how shoppers judge value by comparing prices rather than evaluating a product on its own merits. ( ③ ) Limited-time sales further intensify this effect, since a ticking clock encourages rushed decisions that leave little room for careful comparison. ( ④ ) Retailers also use phrases such as "while supplies last" to suggest scarcity, even when inventory remains plentiful. ( ⑤ ) Over time, frequent sales can actually train customers to wait for discounts rather than buy at full price.

주어진 문장: Not every transaction goes smoothly, however, since photographs and descriptions cannot always capture an item's true condition. Secondhand trading platforms, once considered a niche market for used goods, have grown into a mainstream part of consumer culture. ( ① ) Rising prices for new products, combined with growing awareness of environmental waste, have encouraged many shoppers to consider used items before purchasing something brand new. ( ② ) These platforms allow individuals to sell clothing, electronics, and furniture directly to other consumers, cutting out traditional retail markups entirely. ( ③ ) For younger buyers especially, purchasing secondhand items has become associated with resourcefulness rather than financial necessity. ( ④ ) Sellers benefit as well, earning extra income from items that would otherwise sit unused in storage. ( ⑤ ) To address this problem, many platforms now offer buyer protection programs and detailed rating systems for sellers.