Now, far be it from to question the Big Z, but isn't 2a. incomplete?

I use the minuscule zed in me moniker, ta. Well, in my dialect, a lot can be used by itself as in (2b).

2b. She drinks a lot.
2d. She drinks a lot of beer.
2e. He cheats a lot at cards.
2f. He cheats often at cards.
2g. A: Does she drink? B: Yes, a lot.

Ceci n'est pas un seing.