영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Desalination, the process of removing dissolved salts from seawater to produce fresh water, has increasingly been adopted by coastal regions facing chronic water ①scarcity. Most modern facilities rely on reverse osmosis, a technique in which seawater is forced through membranes whose microscopic pores block salt while letting water molecules pass. Because this method ②consumes far less energy than the thermal distillation once dominant in the industry, it has become the preferred choice for large-scale plants. Nevertheless, desalination remains an inherently costly and environmentally burdensome solution, a fact often overlooked amid enthusiasm for ending water shortages. For instance, the process generates a ③concentrated byproduct called brine, which, when discharged without adequate dilution, can raise local salinity to levels that harm marine life. Pumping seawater through membranes at high pressure also demands substantial electricity, so plants powered by fossil fuels can ④alleviate the emissions that intensify drought. Therefore, engineers increasingly argue that desalination should be treated not as a stand-alone remedy but as one component of a ⑤broader conservation strategy.

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.

Standard economic theory assumes that money is fungible, meaning that a dollar earned as salary is functionally ①identical to a dollar received as a tax refund or won in a lottery. In practice, however, people routinely sort their finances into separate mental accounts, treating money differently depending on its source or intended purpose. A household that would never dip into its retirement savings to pay for a vacation might nonetheless spend an unexpected bonus on that very trip without ②hesitation, even though both sums are, in strictly financial terms, equally available for either purpose. This ③compartmentalization can produce decisions that appear ④consistent when viewed through a purely rational lens: the same individual who diligently saves a portion of every paycheck may simultaneously carry high-interest credit card debt, effectively paying more to borrow than they earn on their savings. Mental accounting is not always harmful, however; by assigning specific categories to specific funds, individuals can also impose useful ⑤discipline on their spending, preventing money earmarked for essential needs from being diverted toward impulsive purchases.

Last spring, Mina joined the school environmental club because she wanted to make a difference. At first, she felt nervous about speaking in front of the other members. However, the club leader, who had been recycling for years, welcomed her warmly. Every Friday, the members walked around the school picking up trash near the playground. Mina soon realized that this weekly habit was like watering a small plant every day. For example, a single plastic bottle left outside could take hundreds of years to disappear. Therefore, the club decided to place clear recycling bins in every classroom. In contrast to her early doubts, Mina _______________. Her classmates started separating cans and paper without being reminded by teachers. By the end of the semester, Mina had become an active member.

Many students set a New Year goal to build a new habit, such as reading every night or exercising each morning. However, most people give up within two weeks because the habit still feels difficult. Researchers who studied this process found that ___________. During the first few weeks, your brain still treats the activity as something new, so you must rely on willpower. Around the middle of this period, the behavior becomes easier, and by the end, the action feels natural and comfortable.

The Hopeful Start Workshop will be held on January 10th at the Green Hill Community Center. This event is designed to _______________. The workshop will run from two to four in the afternoon, and participants will learn simple methods for writing goals that are specific and easy to measure. The workshop is open to all middle and high school students, and no experience is required. Registration is free, but seats are limited to thirty people, so early sign-up is recommended.

The rapid rise of the gig economy has led researchers to examine both its opportunities and its risks. (A) In addition, because their income depends heavily on the number of tasks completed, many gig workers find it difficult to save money consistently. (B) On the positive side, gig platforms allow workers to set their own schedules and take on projects that match their skills. (C) Yet this freedom comes at a price, since most gig workers are not entitled to employer-provided benefits like health insurance.

Psychologists point to three main reasons why new year's resolutions often fail within a few days. (A) Second, many resolutions are unrealistic from the start, since people set goals that are far too difficult to reach in a short time. (B) First, willpower works like a muscle that becomes tired after being used too much, so people run out of self-control quickly. (C) Third, most resolutions do not offer any immediate reward, which makes it hard to stay motivated without seeing fast results.

Setting up and using this goal-tracking app only takes a few simple steps. (A) After that, choose how often you want to practice the goal, and the app will send a gentle reminder at the chosen time. (B) First, create an account using your email address, and then tap the plus button to add a new goal. (C) Finally, tap the checkmark whenever you complete a task, and the app will record your streak automatically.

주어진 문장: This short exercise will make your motivation much clearer to yourself. This workbook is designed to help you set meaningful goals for the new year, so please read the instructions carefully before you begin. First, turn to page one and write down one goal you truly want to achieve this year. Next, complete the reason section by explaining why this goal matters to you. ( ① ) On page two, break your goal into four smaller monthly steps, using the space provided for each month. ( ② ) Then, use the weekly checklist on page three to track your progress every Sunday. ( ③ ) If you fall behind schedule, do not simply give up; instead, revise your steps in pencil and keep moving forward. ( ④ ) At the end of each month, write a short reflection about what worked well and what you might change. ( ⑤ ) Completing this workbook will help you stay focused and turn your goal into a real habit.