25.
(A) during which we interact with others in face-to-face settings

(B) which can result in a range of negative consequences

(C) however, this behavior can have detrimental effects on our health

(D) however, you end up finishing an entire season

(E) that is similar to the impact of certain drugs
IV. Reading Comprehension (20%) Read the following passages and choose the best answer to each question. Mark the corresponding letter A, B, C, or D on your answer card. ### Passage 1 Earlier this year, a phenomenon dubbed “Ghiblification” swept through social media: users began transforming everyday photos into images evoking the signature style of Studio Ghibli films. The charm of Ghiblification lies in its emotional resonance. Studio Ghibli’s storytelling is rooted in subtlety and humanism, often guided by the Japanese narrative structure kishōtenketsu, which emphasizes atmosphere and thematic development over traditional conflict. Rather than battles or villains, Ghibli films focus on growth, discovery, and emotional honesty. In Kiki’s Delivery Service, for instance, the climax is not a confrontation, but a personal journey through self-doubt. These films celebrate quiet moments, relationships, and the blending of the magical and mundane. Yet, not everyone welcomed this trend. Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has long been a critic of AI in art. A video clip from 2016 resurfaced, showing Miyazaki’s dismay at an AI-generated animation of a grotesque figure. He called it “an insult to life itself,” expressing that such work lacked empathy and humanity. The clip, filmed for an NHK documentary, went viral again in 2025, sparking renewed discussions around AI’s role in creative fields. Miyazaki’s body of work is characterized by meticulous hand-drawn animation and an almost spiritual attention to detail. Against this backdrop, many fans felt uneasy enjoying AI-generated Ghibli art, knowing the man behind the aesthetic would likely disapprove. The rise of Ghiblification also triggered heated debates over copyright, authorship, and the essence of art itself. While the AI-generated images didn’t directly copy specific Ghibli characters, they unmistakably replicated the studio’s visual style. This raised questions: Does imitating a style violate intellectual property, even if specific content isn’t duplicated? And beyond legality, is there an ethical responsibility to respect an artist’s original vision and labor? Still, others see Ghiblification as a kind of homage — a way to engage with Ghibli’s legacy in a new medium. Some believe the emotional impact these AI images evoke speaks to the depth and universality of the original Ghibli ethos. The images may be machine-made, but the joy they spark is undeniably human. For now, the internet continues to churn out Ghibli-inspired imagery — some breathtaking, some derivative. And even as users marvel at the results, they’re increasingly aware of the tension between technological magic and artistic integrity. Ghiblification, in all its beauty and controversy, reminds us that the soul of art may be harder to automate than we think. | | | | | |