Assertiveness is the ability to confidently express your opinions, feelings,attitudes, and rights, in a way that doesn't infringe（侵犯） the rights of others.
Many of us are taught that it is not nice to consider our own needs above those of others. If someone says or does something that we don't like, we should just be quiet and try to stay away from that person in the future.
Why is Assertiveness important?
If you don't know how to be assertive, you might experience:
?Depression - Anger, a sense of being helpless, hopeless, or of having no　control over your life.
?Resentment - Anger at others for taking advantage of you.
?Frustration - Why did I allow that to happen?
Most people find it easier to be assertive in some situations than in others. This　makes perfect sense. It's a lot easier to hold your ground with a stranger than with　someone you love. But the more important the relationship is to you, the more　ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ it is to be assertive. Assertive behavior leads to increased respect from others！
But before you decide to act assertively, you have to decide if you can live
with the results. Although assertive behavior usually will result in a positive
response  (积极的回应)，some people 　might react differently.
How to be effectively（有效地） assertive:
?Use "I" statements. Keep the focus on the problem you're having. "I'd like to be able to tell my stories without interruption." instead of "You're always interrupting my stories ! "
?Use facts, not opinions. "Did you know that shirt has a hole?" instead of　"You're not going out looking like THAT, are you?"
?Express ownership of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. "I get angry when he breaks his promises. " instead of "He makes me angry. "
? Make clear and direct requirements. Don't invite the person to say no. "Will  you please?" instead of　'Would you mind．．．?" or "Why don't you．．．?"
?Keep repeating your point. Use a low level and pleasant voice. Don't try to explain yourself.
【小题1】The writer probably agrees that­­­____________.

阅读理解

　　Mr. Smith had a nice and brown coat. He loved it very much, but his wife did not like it, because it was old. She often said, “Give it to a poor person. ”But Mr. Smith always said, “No, I like this coat. ”Then a cigarette (香烟)fell on it and made a hole in it, so Mrs. Smith said,“Please don't wear it again. ”Mr. Smith took it to a small tailor's (裁缝) shop and said to the tailor, “Please make another coat like this one. ”The tailor made the coat very carefully. Then he lit (点燃)a cigarette, and made a hole in it in the same place.

1．Mr. Smith's coat was not ________.

[　　]

2．________didn't like the coat.

[　　]

3．Mr. Smith didn't give the coat to a poor person because ________.

[　　]

A．there was a hole in it

B．he liked it very much

C．he had no other coats to wear

D．he had no money to buy a new one

4．there was a hole in his old coat, Mr. Smith ________.

[　　]

A．decided to make a new one

B．still wore it

C．went to have it mended

D．gave it to a poor man

5．The tailor made a new coat with a hole in it ________.

[　　]

A．because Mr. Smith had asked him to do so

B．because he thought it would be the same as the old one

C．because he was not careful enough

D．because he thought it would be better