영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Carbon neutrality refers to a state in which the amount of greenhouse gases a country or company releases into the atmosphere ①is balanced by the amount it removes, resulting in zero net emissions. Achieving this goal typically requires several sequential stages rather than a single sudden action. First, organizations attempt to reduce emissions directly ②by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Next, they improve efficiency throughout their operations, ③minimizing the energy wasted during production and transportation. Only after these direct measures have been maximized do most organizations turn to offsetting, ④which involve funding projects like reforestation or carbon capture to compensate for emissions that cannot yet be eliminated. Critics argue, however, that some companies exploit offsetting too early, ⑤using it to avoid making genuine reductions. Therefore, experts insist that a credible roadmap must always prioritize actual emission cuts before relying on compensation.

Have you ever noticed that an unfinished task ①keeps returning to your mind long after you stopped working? This phenomenon was first noticed by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, who saw ②that waiters remembered unpaid orders better than paid ones. Her observation led to what is now called the Zeigarnik effect: people remember incomplete tasks more vividly than ③completed ones. According to this theory, the mind maintains mental tension until a task reaches closure, ④keeping the unfinished task active in memory. Once the task is completed, the tension is released, and the mind ⑤let go of the details.

Limited-edition products are goods that are released in small quantities for a ①short period of time. Many companies use this strategy because scarcity naturally ②decreases how much people desire an item. When consumers believe that a product will disappear soon, they often feel ③pressured to buy it immediately rather than wait. This excitement is ④intensified by social media, where people proudly share photos of items that others could not obtain. As a result, some shoppers later ⑤regret spending money on products they rarely use afterward.

The twenty-hour rule proposes that years of practice are not needed to become skilled at a new activity. Only about twenty hours of effort are needed to reach a ①worthless level. Unlike theories claiming true mastery requires ten thousand hours, this rule targets a more ②modest goal. That goal is simple competence for everyday use. According to supporters, practicing any new skill produces the ③fastest visible improvement, since a beginner has room to grow. Advocates emphasize that the twenty hours must be ④deliberate and focused, broken into short daily sessions rather than one long stretch. The hours should be aimed at fixing weaknesses rather than ⑤repeating what one already knows.

One of the most overlooked risks is setting up a tent too close to a campfire, since a sudden gust of wind can carry a spark onto dry fabric faster than anyone expects. Food storage is another area where casual habits create danger: leaving snacks inside a tent can attract wildlife looking for food. Experienced campers also stress the importance of checking a weather forecast before leaving, since _______________. None of these precautions demand special equipment or skill; they simply require campers to treat the outdoors with the same caution they would show in any unfamiliar environment.

Climate change deniers often seem to ignore evidence that contradicts their views, and psychologists have a specific explanation for this behavior. (A) For example, someone whose job depends on fossil fuels may search for reasons to doubt the data, even while insisting that they respect science. (B) This concept, called motivated reasoning, describes how people process information in ways that protect their existing beliefs and lifestyles rather than pursue objective truth. (C) Rather than being a simple failure of intelligence, this pattern reflects a well-documented psychological tendency studied for decades.

Not all relationships that people form are equally close or meaningful. (A) Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist, argued that the human brain can only support about one hundred fifty stable relationships at once. (B) Consequently, most of the hundreds of online followers a person accumulates never become genuinely close acquaintances. (C) This cognitive limit applies regardless of how many friends or followers a person collects on social media.

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.

Not all parts of a city experience the same temperature, even when they are located close to one another. (A) Tall buildings packed closely together also block wind, trapping warm air within narrow streets. In contrast, areas with abundant trees and open water naturally stay cooler, since plants release moisture that helps lower surrounding temperatures. (B) To reduce this effect, many cities have begun installing rooftop gardens and expanding public parks, hoping that additional greenery will absorb less heat than pavement does. (C) On a summer evening, downtown streets often feel noticeably hotter than nearby parks or suburban neighborhoods, even after the sun has set. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, occurs when cities retain more heat than surrounding rural areas because of their dense concentration of asphalt, concrete, and buildings. Unlike soil or vegetation, which absorb and release heat gradually, these man-made surfaces absorb sunlight during the day and slowly radiate it back at night, preventing temperatures from cooling.

The classification of platform workers has become one of the most debated issues in modern labor law. (A) For this reason, companies generally prefer classifying these workers as independent contractors rather than full employees. (B) Being classified this way, however, means workers miss out on protections such as minimum wage and paid leave. (C) Employee status requires companies to provide benefits and follow strict labor regulations, which increases operating costs.