A local host

I've been having a rather fierce discussion with my parents lately, and it all stemmed from a single message. My cousin, who lives in the US, messaged us saying he and his girlfriend would be visiting Taiwan this Saturday. We immediately wanted to put together a spectacular tour for them, remembering how he was such a wonderful host, dedicating a whole day to showing us around when my family and I visited his hometown. Now, we want to return the favor and prove we can be just as good of a host.

However, when it comes to deciding what makes Taiwan "special" for a guest, my parents and I have surprisingly diverse perspectives. My initial plan was a classic Taipei itinerary: a meal at Din Tai Fung, a hike up Elephant Mountain for the skyline view, and a tour of a lively night market.

My mother immediately rejected the idea. She has a strong dislike for the restaurant, feeling the food is overpriced and simply not delicious. Furthermore, she believes we should take them somewhere less obvious—places that are harder to reach by public transportation.

Her current vision is a trip to Beitou followed by a hike in Yangmingshan National Park. I was really reluctant to propose this to my cousin at first. I’ve been to Yangmingshan countless times, and I couldn't think of any standout cuisine there that would serve as a truly delicate Taiwanese meal. Still, I acknowledged my mom had a point about showing them something different, and eventually, I sent the message with her suggestion.

Regardless of my cousin's reply, I know that my parents and I will do our absolute best to serve as excellent hosts. This is actually my first time being a local host in this capacity, and I feel a blend of nervousness and excitement right now. My ultimate hope is that we all have a great time and create some truly wonderful memories together.

VOCABULARY QUESTIONS

Word Usage: Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. The debate between the two candidates became increasingly __________, with both sides refusing to back down. a) spectacular b) fierce c) delicate d) diverse
2. The wedding planner promised to create a __________ celebration that guests would never forget. a) fierce b) reluctant c) spectacular d) standout
3. After he helped me move apartments, I wanted to __________ by buying him dinner. a) return the favor b) have a capacity c) acknowledge a point d) stem from
4. The committee members had __________ opinions on how to spend the budget, making it difficult to reach agreement. a) delicate b) fierce c) spectacular d) diverse
5. The travel agent prepared a detailed __________ for our two-week European vacation. a) capacity b) favor c) itinerary d) perspective
6. Many tourists complain that restaurants near famous landmarks are __________ and not worth the money. a) standout b) overpriced c) delicate d) reluctant
7. Among all the desserts at the bakery, the chocolate cake was the __________ item that everyone recommended. a) diverse b) fierce c) reluctant d) standout
8. The chef prepared a __________ five-course meal with carefully balanced flavors and elegant presentation. a) delicate b) fierce c) overpriced d) diverse
9. She was __________ to quit her stable job to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. a) spectacular b) standout c) reluctant d) diverse
10. In his __________ as team leader, he was responsible for coordinating all project activities. a) itinerary b) favor c) perspective d) capacity
11. The family argument __________ a disagreement about where to spend the holidays. a) returned from b) stemmed from c) acknowledged d) proved
12. Different cultures often have very different __________ on what makes someone a good host. a) capacities b) perspectives c) itineraries d) favors
13. After seeing the evidence, he had to __________ that his opponent had made a valid argument. a) stem b) prove c) acknowledge d) dedicate
14. She wanted to __________ herself by organizing an even better event than last year's. a) prove b) stem c) acknowledge d) reject
15. The volunteers will __________ their entire weekend to helping build homes for families in need. a) acknowledge b) prove c) dedicate d) blend

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Literal Understanding:

1. What specific event is the author preparing for?
2. • When is it taking place?
   • Who are the guests?
2. Who suggested the alternative plan, and what two locations were proposed?
3. List the three activities in the author's initial plan. What detail is mentioned about each location?

Inference and Analysis:

1. Why does the author describe wanting to "return the favor"? What is he/she trying to achieve by being a good host?
2. What was the author's main concern about suggesting Yangmingshan? Did the author follow through with the suggestion anyway? 
3. The author mentions "diverse perspectives" on what makes Taiwan special. What does this reveal about the family's values, and why is it significant to the story?

Critical Thinking:

1. How does the author's attitude toward the mother's suggestion change from the beginning to the end of the passage? 
2. What is the significance of the statement "we should take them somewhere less obvious—places that are harder to reach by public transportation"? How does it connect to different philosophies of tourism?
3. Do you think the author will actually enjoy hosting after this experience? Why or why not? 

Personal Response:

1. Have you ever had an experience where family members disagreed about how to entertain guests? How does it compare to the author's experience? What approach do you think works best when hosting visitors from abroad?