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.

1.The writer probably agrees that­­­____________.

A. you should consider others' response before you act assertively

B. you should be assertive if you want to get good marks

C. assertiveness is the ability to infringe others' rights.

D. assertive behavior will bring you bad feelings

2.The expression "hold yourｇround" probably means “_________________”

A. reach an agreement

B. insist on your point

C. keep your word

D. keep on fighting

3.Which of the following helps you to be effectively assertive?

A. Explaining yourself in a soft and sweet voice.

B. Expressing ownership of others' thoughts.

C. Making requirements directly and clearly.

D. Using your opinions instead of facts.

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

1. 1.

   The writer probably agrees that______.

   1. A.
      you should consider others' response before you act assertively
   2. B.
      you should be assertive if you want to get good marks
   3. C.
      assertiveness is the ability to infringe others' rights
   4. D.
      assertive behavior will bring you bad feelings
2. 2.

   The expression "hold yourｇround" probably means “______”

   1. A.
      reach an agreement
   2. B.
      insist on your point
   3. C.
      keep your word
   4. D.
      keep on fighting
3. 3.

   Which of the following helps you to be effectively assertive?

   1. A.
      Explaining yourself in a soft and sweet voice
   2. B.
      Expressing ownership of others' thoughts
   3. C.
      Making requirements directly and clearly
   4. D.
      Using your opinions instead of facts

We’ve talked about snails（蜗牛） and their slow move. But much of the time snails don’t move at all. They are in their shells —sleeping.
　　Hot sun will dry out a snail’s body. So at the least sign of hot sun, a snail draws its body into his shell. A snail will die in a heavy rain. So when it rains, a snail does the same thing, too. A snail can sleep for as long as it needs to. It spends all the winter months in its shell, asleep.
　　In the spring the snail wakes up. Its body, about three inches long, comes out from the shell. When hungry, the snail looks for food. Its eyes, at the end of the top feelers, are very weak. But its sense of smell is very strong. It helps the snail to find food and the new greens.
　　A snail’s mouth is no bigger than the point of a pin. Yet it has 256,000 teeth! The teeth are very small, and you can’t see them. If you put a snail in a hard paper box, it will eat its way out! And if a snail wears out its teeth, it will grow new ones

1. 1.

   A snail _________

   1. A.
      moves more slowly at night
   2. B.
      has thousands of feet
   3. C.
      doesn’t move at all
   4. D.
      sleeps much of the time
2. 2.

   In the sentence “A snail draws its body into its shell”, the word “draw” means _____

   1. A.
      to make with a pencil
   2. B.
      to push
   3. C.
      to pull
   4. D.
      to move away
3. 3.

   From the story, we know _________

   1. A.
      a snail’s shell is very thin
   2. B.
      a snail can’t see well
   3. C.
      a snail’s nose is quite short
   4. D.
      a snail’s body changes in different seasons
4. 4.

   A snail goes to sleep when _____

   1. A.
      it feels hungry
   2. B.
      it is put into a paper box
   3. C.
      spring is coming
   4. D.
      it rains heavily
5. 5.

   Which of the following is wrong?

   1. A.
      In winter the snail doesn’t eat or move
   2. B.
      A snail doesn’t like living under the sun
   3. C.
      The snail’s teeth can’t be worn out
   4. D.
      The snail’s nose helps to find food