영어 모의고사 (자동 편성)

Climate scientists frequently warn about tipping points, thresholds beyond which a small additional change ①triggers a large, often irreversible shift in the climate system. Unlike gradual warming, which unfolds steadily over decades, crossing a tipping point can produce dramatic consequences within a short period. For instance, as Arctic ice melts, it exposes darker ocean water that ②absorb more sunlight than reflective ice, accelerating further melting in a self-reinforcing cycle. Similarly, scientists worry that a major ocean current, which currently ③redistributes heat across the planet, could slow dramatically if enough freshwater from melting glaciers dilutes the surrounding seawater. Once such thresholds are crossed, ④restoring the original balance may become nearly impossible, even if emissions are later reduced. Therefore, researchers argue that preventing these transitions ⑤matters more than merely slowing average temperature increases.

Conventional economic wisdom holds that more options are always preferable to fewer, since a larger set of alternatives ①increases the likelihood that any individual will find one that precisely matches their preferences. When shoppers are presented with an extensive array of choices, they frequently experience heightened anxiety about making the wrong selection and, paradoxically, become ②less likely to make any purchase or decision at all. Furthermore, individuals who do eventually choose from an overwhelming array often report ③higher satisfaction with their selection than those who chose from a modest handful of options, since the sheer number of unexplored alternatives ④fosters lingering doubt about whether a better choice was overlooked. Businesses that recognize this dynamic have begun deliberately ⑤curating smaller, carefully selected assortments, betting that a narrower range of options can sometimes generate more sales and greater customer satisfaction than abundance.

When a price is crossed out and replaced with a lower number, consumers instinctively perceive the new price as a ①loss, even if the original price was rarely charged. Limited-time sales further ②intensify this effect, since a ticking clock encourages rushed decisions that leave little room for careful comparison. Retailers also use phrases such as "while supplies last" to suggest ③scarcity, even when inventory remains plentiful. Over time, frequent sales can actually train customers to wait for discounts rather than buy at full price, which can ④hurt long-term profits. Despite this risk, many companies continue relying on sales events because the short-term boost in customer traffic usually ⑤outweighs the potential downside.

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.

A rational approach to decision-making dictates that only future costs and benefits should influence a choice, since resources already spent cannot be recovered regardless of what is decided next. In practice, however, people routinely allow such irrecoverable expenditures, known as sunk costs, to shape their subsequent decisions, a pattern referred to as the sunk cost fallacy. Economists therefore urge decision-makers to evaluate each choice based solely on its prospective outcomes, treating past expenditures as ___________ to the decision at hand.

Imagine two factories making the same product: one in a country with strict carbon rules, and one in a country with almost none. The factory facing stricter rules often spends more, which can make its goods pricier than those made elsewhere. To fix this imbalance, some governments have introduced the carbon border adjustment mechanism, a policy charging imported goods a fee based on how much carbon was released while producing them. Supporters argue that the system _______________. However, critics claim it unfairly burdens developing countries, which often lack money to modernize factories quickly. For example, a small exporter in a poorer nation might struggle to pay the added charge, though it contributes little to global emissions. Still, if wealthier nations pair the policy with technical support, it could become a genuinely fair tool for cutting emissions worldwide.

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.

Scarcity has long been recognized as one of the most effective psychological triggers in marketing. (A) For this reason, limited releases often create long lines and instant sellouts, even when the product itself is not extraordinary. (B) Consumers, fearing that they might miss a rare opportunity, tend to make quick decisions without much thought. (C) Yet this excitement can fade quickly once the item is finally obtained, leaving buyers with regret rather than satisfaction.

Social proof does not operate uniformly; its influence intensifies under specific conditions. (A) It grows especially powerful, for instance, when the situation is ambiguous and individuals lack a clear, independent basis for judging the correct course of action. (B) Conversely, when a task offers unambiguous, verifiable evidence, individuals rely far less on the behavior of others, since they can evaluate the situation directly for themselves. (C) This contrast implies that social proof functions primarily as a substitute for missing information, stepping in precisely where individual certainty runs out.

Because the keyboard nudges people toward its own suggestions, some linguists worry that autocomplete may be quietly narrowing everyday vocabulary. Long before a user finishes typing a sentence, the keyboard on most smartphones has already begun guessing what word comes next. ( ① ) This feature relies on a language model trained to notice which words commonly follow one another, so it can offer a shortlist of likely candidates above the keyboard, saving users countless keystrokes over the course of a day. ( ② ) The system also adapts to each individual, gradually learning a person's favorite phrases, slang, and even the names of friends that no generic dictionary would recognize. ( ③ ) This constant personalization, however, creates a subtle side effect that few users notice. ( ④ ) This small habit, choosing a convenient suggestion rather than searching for the more precise or original word one might otherwise have chosen, can add up over years of daily use. ( ⑤ )