A budget is a spending plan. It can help you spend money wisely. It can do this by cutting out wasteful spending. Of course, preparing a budget takes planning, and following a budget takes will power. Your budget should meet your family's needs and income. The first step in creating a budget is to set your goals. What does your family need and wants. You must know this to work out the details of the budget. Keep goals realistic, in terms of income available. Then decide which goals are the most important. The next step is estimating family income. Before you can plan wisely, you need to know how much money you have to spend! Write down all the money you expect to receive (wages, savings, interest, etc.) during the planned budget period. After you have calculated how much money will be available, it is time to estimate expenses. List all of your family expenses. If you are not satisfied with what you got for your money, look carefully at your spending. Studying your records will show where overspending has occurred. It will also point out poor buying habits. It is also a good idea to set aside a small amount of money for emergencies. Every family has small emergencies: a blown tire, a broken device, or the need for minor medical care.
单选题
According to the passage, what is the advantage of a budget?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 第1段第2句“It can help you spend money wisely”(预算帮助你聪明地花钱)，也就是说理智地消费(spend money in a reasonable way)。
单选题
In carrying out your budget, you need______.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] “preparing a budget takes planning, and following a budget takes will power”意思是“准备一项预算需要计划，而执行(follow在这里是执行的意思)一项计划则需要will power(意志力)，也就是ability to control yourself(控制自己的能力)”。
单选题
One advantage of keeping a record of your spending is that______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 第5段讲了“Studying your records will show where overspending has occurred. It will also point out poor buying habits”(消费记录可以找出哪里超支了，或者可以发现一些不良购买习惯)。所以B是正确答案。
单选题
The writer suggests that it is a good idea to set aside some money because______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 从原文最后的“It is also a good idea to set aside a small amount of money for emergencies. Every family has small emergencies”可以知道，每个家庭都会有一些意外情况发生，所以有必要准备一小笔资金作为备用金。