I talk to strangers for a living and love the challenge of getting their stories published in newspapers. I've been married for years, but until six months ago, I could be a typical absent-minded husband．Often I was just nodding when I was supposed to. When my wife asked, "Did you even hear what I just said?" I would defensively say, "Of course I did!"In January, I began to lose my voice. Doctors told me I needed surgery, or my throat would be permanently damaged. Total silence would be required for the first few weeks of my recovery.Two hours after the surgery, my eyes filled with tears as my two-year-old son looked puzzled because I wouldn't answer his questions. I wanted to talk but couldn't. Luckily, I'd recorded myself reading some of his favorite books. That would come in handy the next couple of weeks.When I got home, I noticed a "side effect ": as my wife talked to me to keep up my spirits, I wasn't just hearing her; I was listening to her. Over the next few weeks,I didn't want to miss a word she said. I began to hear sweetness in her voice. It had never left. I'd just stopped noticing. I found myself understanding her better on topics I'd previously dismissed as "things I just don't get as a guy". I also realized my son wasn't just talking nonstop but that he often had thoughtful things to say. Even while walking my dog in the woods near our home, I began hearing pleasant patterns in birdsongs. Before my surgery, I'd have spent those walks on my phone.After several weeks, I was fully recovered. Conversation in our house is better now, not because I'm talking more. I'm just listening better and becoming less and less surprised that I like what I hear.What is true of the author after the surgery?

I talk to strangers for a living and love the challenge of getting their stories published in newspapers. I've been married for years, but until six months ago, I could be a typical absent-minded husband．Often I was just nodding when I was supposed to. When my wife asked, "Did you even hear what I just said?" I would defensively say, "Of course I did!"In January, I began to lose my voice. Doctors told me I needed surgery, or my throat would be permanently damaged. Total silence would be required for the first few weeks of my recovery.Two hours after the surgery, my eyes filled with tears as my two-year-old son looked puzzled because I wouldn't answer his questions. I wanted to talk but couldn't. Luckily, I'd recorded myself reading some of his favorite books. That would come in handy the next couple of weeks.When I got home, I noticed a "side effect ": as my wife talked to me to keep up my spirits, I wasn't just hearing her; I was listening to her. Over the next few weeks,I didn't want to miss a word she said. I began to hear sweetness in her voice. It had never left. I'd just stopped noticing. I found myself understanding her better on topics I'd previously dismissed as "things I just don't get as a guy". I also realized my son wasn't just talking nonstop but that he often had thoughtful things to say. Even while walking my dog in the woods near our home, I began hearing pleasant patterns in birdsongs. Before my surgery, I'd have spent those walks on my phone.After several weeks, I was fully recovered. Conversation in our house is better now, not because I'm talking more. I'm just listening better and becoming less and less surprised that I like what I hear.What did the author realize after the surgery?

Coconut（椰子）is an unusual food for many reasons. It is one of the largest edible seeds produced by any plant. Its unusual contents also make it unique in the seed world—it consists of both "meat" and "water" inside. The coconut meat is the white substance with which we are all familiar, as it is used extensively for cooking and flavorings; the coconut water is a white and sweet liquid.Portuguese（葡萄牙的）explorers gave the nut its name in the 15th century, referring to it as coco, meaning "ghost" in their language. The outside appearance of coconuts reminded them of a ghost's face, and the tree has had that name ever since.The coconut has varied uses. It is used to make various cooking oils for fast-food restaurants around the world to make diet materials. The coconut fluid is a favorite drink in hot climates, providing a cool and refreshing beverage right off the tree. This water is also used by manufacturers of various sports drinks. Even the shell itself has many uses, including animal food and fertilizer.Yet the coconut is also useful in many ways that have nothing to do with food. Coconut oil is used for cosmetics（化妆品）,medicines, and so on. Dried coconut shells are used in many countries as a tool for shining wood floors. The shells are also used for shirt buttons, and are commonly found on Hawaiian clothing. They are even used for musical instruments and bird houses.And all these are only some of the uses found for the coconut fruit. The coconut tree, which produces the nut, also produces many useful things. It's no wonder that the coconut tree has been taken as "the tree of life".What does the underlined word "edible" in Paragraph 1 mean?

Coconut（椰子）is an unusual food for many reasons. It is one of the largest edible seeds produced by any plant. Its unusual contents also make it unique in the seed world—it consists of both "meat" and "water" inside. The coconut meat is the white substance with which we are all familiar, as it is used extensively for cooking and flavorings; the coconut water is a white and sweet liquid.Portuguese（葡萄牙的）explorers gave the nut its name in the 15th century, referring to it as coco, meaning "ghost" in their language. The outside appearance of coconuts reminded them of a ghost's face, and the tree has had that name ever since.The coconut has varied uses. It is used to make various cooking oils for fast-food restaurants around the world to make diet materials. The coconut fluid is a favorite drink in hot climates, providing a cool and refreshing beverage right off the tree. This water is also used by manufacturers of various sports drinks. Even the shell itself has many uses, including animal food and fertilizer.Yet the coconut is also useful in many ways that have nothing to do with food. Coconut oil is used for cosmetics（化妆品）,medicines, and so on. Dried coconut shells are used in many countries as a tool for shining wood floors. The shells are also used for shirt buttons, and are commonly found on Hawaiian clothing. They are even used for musical instruments and bird houses.And all these are only some of the uses found for the coconut fruit. The coconut tree, which produces the nut, also produces many useful things. It's no wonder that the coconut tree has been taken as "the tree of life".The coconut got its name because of_____.

Coconut（椰子）is an unusual food for many reasons. It is one of the largest edible seeds produced by any plant. Its unusual contents also make it unique in the seed world—it consists of both "meat" and "water" inside. The coconut meat is the white substance with which we are all familiar, as it is used extensively for cooking and flavorings; the coconut water is a white and sweet liquid.Portuguese（葡萄牙的）explorers gave the nut its name in the 15th century, referring to it as coco, meaning "ghost" in their language. The outside appearance of coconuts reminded them of a ghost's face, and the tree has had that name ever since.The coconut has varied uses. It is used to make various cooking oils for fast-food restaurants around the world to make diet materials. The coconut fluid is a favorite drink in hot climates, providing a cool and refreshing beverage right off the tree. This water is also used by manufacturers of various sports drinks. Even the shell itself has many uses, including animal food and fertilizer.Yet the coconut is also useful in many ways that have nothing to do with food. Coconut oil is used for cosmetics（化妆品）,medicines, and so on. Dried coconut shells are used in many countries as a tool for shining wood floors. The shells are also used for shirt buttons, and are commonly found on Hawaiian clothing. They are even used for musical instruments and bird houses.And all these are only some of the uses found for the coconut fruit. The coconut tree, which produces the nut, also produces many useful things. It's no wonder that the coconut tree has been taken as "the tree of life".What is the passage mainly about?

Coconut（椰子）is an unusual food for many reasons. It is one of the largest edible seeds produced by any plant. Its unusual contents also make it unique in the seed world—it consists of both "meat" and "water" inside. The coconut meat is the white substance with which we are all familiar, as it is used extensively for cooking and flavorings; the coconut water is a white and sweet liquid.Portuguese（葡萄牙的）explorers gave the nut its name in the 15th century, referring to it as coco, meaning "ghost" in their language. The outside appearance of coconuts reminded them of a ghost's face, and the tree has had that name ever since.The coconut has varied uses. It is used to make various cooking oils for fast-food restaurants around the world to make diet materials. The coconut fluid is a favorite drink in hot climates, providing a cool and refreshing beverage right off the tree. This water is also used by manufacturers of various sports drinks. Even the shell itself has many uses, including animal food and fertilizer.Yet the coconut is also useful in many ways that have nothing to do with food. Coconut oil is used for cosmetics（化妆品）,medicines, and so on. Dried coconut shells are used in many countries as a tool for shining wood floors. The shells are also used for shirt buttons, and are commonly found on Hawaiian clothing. They are even used for musical instruments and bird houses.And all these are only some of the uses found for the coconut fruit. The coconut tree, which produces the nut, also produces many useful things. It's no wonder that the coconut tree has been taken as "the tree of life".What can be learned from the passage?

Most students choose " Homestay " accommodation when they study abroad; others select Homestay even if they are not on a study visit. Statistics show that it's a form of accommodation gaining in popularity all the time.But what is Homestay? And what makes it so popular?Homestay means living with a family, or "host family" as we say. There are three ways of doing it:?choose to learn English in a language school near to your Homestay location;?have your English classes in the house with a member of the family who is a qualified teacher;?select not to have classes at all when you visit—a popular choice if you want to do the tourist thing for example.Even in their busy summer period the organizations that arrange the Homestays will always try to place you with the most suitable host family to match your requirements. Placement（安置）organizations think about location, interests, language level, eating requirements, allergies（过敏）and other requests you may have.Though prices vary according to your needs, good quality Homestay accommodation can be relatively economical—and although you may be charged an extra amount of money if you want your Homestay in or near the city centre. Even if you stay further out, you can expect your journey into the centre not to exceed 30 minutes.Not only does Homestay accommodation represent value for money, it also gives you an excellent opportunity to practise English with your host family. This is a very important extra for students who like to speak as much English as possible. But if you plan to learn English, why not have your English classes in your host family? There's no better way to learn English than this—the perfect combination of learning and accommodation combined with the cultural experience!Homestay is an ideal choice for students who _____.

Most students choose " Homestay " accommodation when they study abroad; others select Homestay even if they are not on a study visit. Statistics show that it's a form of accommodation gaining in popularity all the time.But what is Homestay? And what makes it so popular?Homestay means living with a family, or "host family" as we say. There are three ways of doing it:?choose to learn English in a language school near to your Homestay location;?have your English classes in the house with a member of the family who is a qualified teacher;?select not to have classes at all when you visit—a popular choice if you want to do the tourist thing for example.Even in their busy summer period the organizations that arrange the Homestays will always try to place you with the most suitable host family to match your requirements. Placement（安置）organizations think about location, interests, language level, eating requirements, allergies（过敏）and other requests you may have.Though prices vary according to your needs, good quality Homestay accommodation can be relatively economical—and although you may be charged an extra amount of money if you want your Homestay in or near the city centre. Even if you stay further out, you can expect your journey into the centre not to exceed 30 minutes.Not only does Homestay accommodation represent value for money, it also gives you an excellent opportunity to practise English with your host family. This is a very important extra for students who like to speak as much English as possible. But if you plan to learn English, why not have your English classes in your host family? There's no better way to learn English than this—the perfect combination of learning and accommodation combined with the cultural experience!Who will consider students' requirements before their Homestay starts?

Most students choose " Homestay " accommodation when they study abroad; others select Homestay even if they are not on a study visit. Statistics show that it's a form of accommodation gaining in popularity all the time.But what is Homestay? And what makes it so popular?Homestay means living with a family, or "host family" as we say. There are three ways of doing it:?choose to learn English in a language school near to your Homestay location;?have your English classes in the house with a member of the family who is a qualified teacher;?select not to have classes at all when you visit—a popular choice if you want to do the tourist thing for example.Even in their busy summer period the organizations that arrange the Homestays will always try to place you with the most suitable host family to match your requirements. Placement（安置）organizations think about location, interests, language level, eating requirements, allergies（过敏）and other requests you may have.Though prices vary according to your needs, good quality Homestay accommodation can be relatively economical—and although you may be charged an extra amount of money if you want your Homestay in or near the city centre. Even if you stay further out, you can expect your journey into the centre not to exceed 30 minutes.Not only does Homestay accommodation represent value for money, it also gives you an excellent opportunity to practise English with your host family. This is a very important extra for students who like to speak as much English as possible. But if you plan to learn English, why not have your English classes in your host family? There's no better way to learn English than this—the perfect combination of learning and accommodation combined with the cultural experience!Which of the following is a key factor affecting the price of Homestay?

Most students choose " Homestay " accommodation when they study abroad; others select Homestay even if they are not on a study visit. Statistics show that it's a form of accommodation gaining in popularity all the time.But what is Homestay? And what makes it so popular?Homestay means living with a family, or "host family" as we say. There are three ways of doing it:?choose to learn English in a language school near to your Homestay location;?have your English classes in the house with a member of the family who is a qualified teacher;?select not to have classes at all when you visit—a popular choice if you want to do the tourist thing for example.Even in their busy summer period the organizations that arrange the Homestays will always try to place you with the most suitable host family to match your requirements. Placement（安置）organizations think about location, interests, language level, eating requirements, allergies（过敏）and other requests you may have.Though prices vary according to your needs, good quality Homestay accommodation can be relatively economical—and although you may be charged an extra amount of money if you want your Homestay in or near the city centre. Even if you stay further out, you can expect your journey into the centre not to exceed 30 minutes.Not only does Homestay accommodation represent value for money, it also gives you an excellent opportunity to practise English with your host family. This is a very important extra for students who like to speak as much English as possible. But if you plan to learn English, why not have your English classes in your host family? There's no better way to learn English than this—the perfect combination of learning and accommodation combined with the cultural experience!What can be inferred from the passage?