Meaning: 'Public' refers to the people in general, especially in the context of government initiatives.

Wrong options:

• industry: The term 'industry' refers to a specific sector of the economy and does not fit as it does not represent the general population.
• repairs: 'Repairs' is a noun that refers to fixing something, which does not relate to the subject of encouraging saving.
• lending: 'Lending' is a gerund that refers to the act of giving money, which does not fit as a subject in this context.
• costs: 'Costs' is a noun that refers to expenses, which does not represent the general population.
• prices: 'Prices' refers to the amount of money required for goods or services, which does not fit as it does not represent people.

Correct answer: costs

Explanation: The term 'costs' is a noun that refers to expenses or financial outlays, which fits grammatically and contextually as it aligns with the idea of unexpected financial burdens that people may face.

Meaning: 'Costs' refers to the amount of money required for something, particularly unexpected expenses.

Wrong options:

• borrowing: 'Borrowing' is a gerund that refers to the act of taking money from someone else, which does not fit as it does not represent a type of financial burden.
• prices: 'Prices' refers to the amounts charged for goods or services, which does not fit as it does not imply unexpected expenses.
• public: 'Public' refers to the general population, which does not fit as it does not relate to financial burdens.
• repairs: 'Repairs' refers to the act of fixing something, which is a specific type of cost but does not encompass all unexpected expenses.
• lending: 'Lending' is a gerund that refers to the act of giving money, which does not fit as it does not represent a type of financial burden.

Correct answer: repairs

Explanation: The word 'repairs' is a noun that refers to the act of fixing something, which fits grammatically and contextually as it aligns with the examples of unexpected costs that people might face.

Meaning: 'Repairs' refers to the actions taken to fix something that is broken or damaged, such as a home or car.

Wrong options:

• borrowing: 'Borrowing' is a gerund that refers to the act of taking money from someone else, which does not fit as it does not represent a type of unexpected cost.
• costs: 'Costs' refers to expenses in general, which does not provide a specific example of an unexpected cost.
• public: 'Public' refers to the general population, which does not fit as it does not relate to specific costs.
• lending: 'Lending' is a gerund that refers to the act of giving money, which does not fit as it does not represent a type of unexpected cost.
• prices: 'Prices' refers to the amounts charged for goods or services, which does not fit as it does not imply specific unexpected costs.

Correct answer: borrowing

Explanation: The term 'borrowing' is a gerund that refers to the act of taking money from someone else, which fits grammatically and contextually as it aligns with the idea of avoiding debt by using savings instead.

Meaning: 'Borrowing' refers to the act of taking money from another party with the intention of returning it, often with interest.

Wrong options:

• costs: 'Costs' refers to expenses in general, which does not fit as it does not relate to the act of acquiring money.
• repairs: 'Repairs' refers to fixing something, which does not fit as it does not relate to acquiring money.
• public: 'Public' refers to the general population, which does not fit as it does not relate to the act of acquiring money.
• lending: 'Lending' is a gerund that refers to the act of giving money, which does not fit as it does not represent the act of taking money.
• prices: 'Prices' refers to the amounts charged for goods or services, which does not fit as it does not relate to the act of acquiring money.