Why does the Torah write "va'Yasimu Alav" (in the singular)?

What sort of tax did Pharaoh levy on Yisrael?

What is meant by, "... in order to afflict them with their burdens"?

Rashi (on this verse) translates the words "Arei Miskenos" as does the Targum - "storage cities." But Sotah 11a has two additional interpretations - 'cities that endanger' (Mesakenos); or 'cities that impoverish' (Memaskenos). What can we learn from these?

Chazal (Sotah 11a) interpret the name "Pisom" to mean that that the cities that Bnei Yisrael built, would gradually sink into the ground (Pi-Sehom Bole'o); or the name "Ra'amses" to mean 'collapse' (Misroses). Is there deeper meaning behind this?

Rashi (to Shemos 14:2) identifies "Pisom" as the same place as "Pi ha'Chiros" (lit. 'opening of freedom'), where we encamped by the sea after leaving Egypt. What might this tell us, as to why it was originally known as Pisom?

What additional function did Pisom serve?