Basic questions on oxidation and reduction

i don't understand why these are the correct answers:

1. in a redox reaction, the reducing agent will...
answer: lose electrons and be oxidized.
i thought it would gain electrons and be reduced, because isn't reduction gaining electrons?

2. the oxidation number of a reducing agent can change from...
answer: -2 to -1
i got a different answer, i thought reduction means gaining electrons, so therefore wouldn't it become more negative?

thanks for answering :)

The reducing agent is the substance that is oxidized.

Example:
2 Na + Cl2 ----> 2 NaCl

Cl is reduced. (Gains an electron to go from 0 to -1.)
Na is oxidized. (Loses an electron to go from 0 to +1.)
But Na causes the reduction of Cl, so Na is the reducing agent.