北大考博英语求助3

题目

北大考博英语求助3
北大考博2000年真题19．Grant was one of a body of men who were self-reliant_________,who cared hardly anything for the past but had a sharp eye for the future.
A.on themselves
B.on not making a fault自信不犯错误
C.to a fault太,过分,相当于too,too much
D.to remain ahead保持在前
今天发一道真题吧．答案是C．据说其他三项在文中都讲不通,不过对于结构我还是不太明白．

答案

to 在这里可以理解为“达到（某种程度）”,to a fault 意思就是“达到错误的程度,不正常,过于”,跟 too 的意思一样了,但位置不同.
如果直接说 be self-reliant to a certain degree, 你能理解吗?这里用名词 fault 来表示程度更夸张,更生动罢了.