영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

To compensate for their carbon emissions, many individuals and companies now ①purchases carbon offsets, financial credits that fund projects such as planting trees or building renewable energy plants. The idea is appealing: paying for an equivalent amount of carbon to be absorbed elsewhere should cancel out the harm caused by activities like flying. However, critics argue that this system often ②functions as a convenient excuse for postponing genuine emission cuts rather than achieving them. For example, a newly planted forest may take decades to absorb the promised carbon, and it could later ③burn down or be cut, erasing any benefit. Moreover, some offset projects would have happened anyway, meaning the credits fund nothing truly ④additional. Therefore, relying heavily on offsets allows businesses ⑤to maintain harmful practices while appearing responsible.

Have you ever wondered why some people stay motivated while others give up quickly? The answer often lies in whether they have a clear goal. When people have no specific goal, they usually feel confused about where ①to start, and their interest fades within days. For example, a student who simply decides ②to study harder this year often loses direction because the plan is too vague. In contrast, a student who sets a clear goal, such as raising an English score by ten points, ③knows exactly what to do every day. This clarity creates strong motivation because the brain naturally ④focus on a clear target. A clear goal also makes progress easy to measure, and noticing small improvements keeps people ⑤encouraged to continue.

When Suji transferred to a new school in March, she knew no one in her class and felt ①lonely during lunch and breaks. Her homeroom teacher suggested joining a club to make friends more easily. Suji signed up for the photography club, though she had never taken photography seriously before. At the first meeting, older members taught her how to adjust a camera and find a ②good angle. Because everyone shared photos and gave ③friendly feedback each week, Suji gradually felt more ④uncomfortable with the other members. One rainy afternoon, a fellow member, Hana, invited her to photograph the flooded schoolyard together. They laughed while trying to keep their cameras dry, and that moment grew into a real ⑤friendship.

Jina used to fill her apartment with items she rarely used, believing that owning more things would make her ①happier. After moving twice within a single year, she grew ②energized from packing boxes filled with clothes she had never worn and gadgets she had forgotten she owned. Gradually, however, she noticed that her small apartment felt ③calmer and easier to manage. She also realized that she spent significantly ④less money once she stopped buying things impulsively to fill emotional gaps. Jina's story reflects a broader trend among young adults who increasingly value experiences and simplicity over ⑤accumulating possessions.

A growing number of people are practicing what is now called digital detox, the deliberate decision to stop using smartphones for a set period. Rather than checking notifications every few minutes, participants unplug for a weekend, a week, or sometimes even longer. Numerous studies suggest that this temporary withdrawal produces real benefits for both the mind and the body. First, attention spans fragmented by constant notifications gradually recover, allowing people to concentrate on single tasks for longer stretches. Second, avoiding screens before bedtime improves sleep quality, since blue light emitted by devices is known to disrupt natural sleep cycles. Third, people freed from their phones often rediscover the pleasure of face-to-face conversations that had been replaced by texting. Critics argue that complete disconnection is impractical in a hyperconnected society, yet even brief, regular breaks appear to restore balance. Therefore, _______________.

ESG management refers to a company's efforts to consider Environmental, Social, and Governance factors alongside profit when making business decisions. Investors increasingly rely on ESG ratings to judge whether a company is managed responsibly and sustainably over the long term. Recently, however, many corporations have learned to boost their ESG scores without genuinely transforming their operations. Some firms publish glossy reports filled with impressive statistics while their actual carbon emissions barely decline, exploiting the fact that ESG evaluation systems still lack consistent global standards. This gap between appearance and substance has led critics to demand stricter, more transparent criteria for measuring corporate responsibility. Genuine ESG management, in contrast, requires _______________. Investors who wish to identify truly responsible companies should therefore examine detailed disclosures instead of trusting labels alone.

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 _______________. 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. 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.

When people fail to reach a goal, they often feel embarrassed and want to give up. However, ___________. Some people believe failing means they simply lack ability, so they stop trying. Others see failure differently: they treat it as useful information that shows what needs to change. For example, a student who fails a math test might ask the teacher which questions were weak points and study those areas more carefully.

Unlike a static list of best-sellers, this assistant can adjust its suggestions on the spot, responding to follow-up questions the way a knowledgeable salesperson might in a physical store. Browsing an online store today often means chatting with an AI assistant that asks a few quick questions, such as budget or intended use, before suggesting a short list of products tailored to the answers. ( ① ) Retailers report that shoppers who use these chatbots tend to complete purchases more often and return fewer items, since the guided conversation helps buyers choose products that actually fit their needs. ( ② ) Some shoppers, however, remain wary of how personal the questions can feel. ( ③ ) They wonder how much of that conversation is quietly stored and reused to influence future purchases. ( ④ ) Consumer advocates argue that stores should clearly explain what happens to this data, rather than burying the explanation in a lengthy privacy policy that almost no one reads. ( ⑤ )

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.