II. Grammar and vocabulary
Section A
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Causes of and Solutions to Frugal Fatigue (节俭疲劳症)
Have you ever attempted to save money to such a degree that you are not enjoying your life anymore? If so, you could be suffering from frugal fatigue. Simply ___21___ (put), frugal fatigue refers to being sick and tired of attempting to save every penny that you earn. When you are determined to prioritize your savings, it can be initially ___22___ (tempt) to cut out every single luxury item from your budget. However, the problem with this strategy is that in the long run, you may experience burnout from allowing yourself no luxuries whatsoever.
Frugal fatigue can be compared to extreme dieting. Someone attempting to diet in order to lose weight ___23___ decide to give up all treats such as chocolate, cakes, and alcohol, ___24___ of which presents health risks if consumed in moderation. ___25___ months of eating nothing but vegetables and snacking on fruits alone, it would be no surprise if one became fed up with dieting. What tends to happen in the cases of frugal fatigue is that the individual in question suddenly reaches a breaking point ___26___ he goes on a spending spree（狂欢）to get relief. This causes them to lose all the savings that they ___27___ (store) up thus far, and then they suffer from financial anxiety again.
So, how does one prevent frugal fatigue? One method is to avoid adopting an all-or-nothing attitude. ___28___ (plan) a careful budget that not only enables you to save money but also allows you the occasional luxury purchase. This way, you will not feel ___29___ you are robbing yourself of all treats. Another effective strategy is to establish realistic goals for saving. Try to break up your financial goals into manageable milestones. Be sure to keep very clear reasons in mind for _____30_____ you are saving, whether it’s for a vacation or a retirement fund.
【答案】21. put
22. tempting
23. may/might
24. none 25. After
26. where 27. have stored
28. Plan 29. as if/as though
30. which
