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.

用方框中所给单词的适当形式填空，使短文通顺、正确、连贯(每个单词限用一次)。

The Earth needs a helping hand

    The Earth is getting warmer because of the activities of people. We cut down and burn   1   and send gases into the air with our cars and factories. Can we do anything about it? Sure. We may   2   be leaders or scientists but we can play our part in   3    the planet. Here are two ideas.

    Bike, don't ride to school

Do you   4    to school by bus or by bike? If you bike, you are doing   5    for the Earth. Buses, cars, trains and planes produce a lot of carbon dioxide (二氧化碳). If you live near to your school,   6   not bike there on warm spring mornings? Or, you can   7    walk to school to save energy.

    Wash the green way

    Do you help your mom and dad wash clothes? Then wash them   8    an energy-saving way. A recent study by Cambridge University found    9    60 percent of the energy used on a piece of clothing is    10    in washing and drying it. Over its lifetime, a T-shirt can send up to 4 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the air.

    　11    you wash your own clothes, wash them in cold or warm water to save energy, but not hot water. Wash your clothes when   12   fill up the machine. Use the most energy-saving machine you can find. Some new ones use as    13    as one-fourth of the energy of older machines. When they're clean, dry    14    clothes the natural way, by hanging them   15    a line rather than putting them in a dryer. In all, you can cut the carbon dioxide used in washing by 90 percent.

　　　 This year the marathon in my hometown took place in the hottest month.My job was to follow behind the runners to see if any of them needed medical care.

　　　 “We should stay behind the last runner, so take it slowly，” I said to the driver, Bob.

　　　 “Let's hope that the last runner is fast！” He laughed.

　　　 Soon the front runners started to disappear, and I saw a woman in a white T?shirt.

　　　 “Bob, look！”

　　　 We knew we were already watching our “last runner”.She was different from the others because of her age.

　　　 “I think she is over 60, too old for any sports match.How can she finish a marathon？” Bob said.

　　　 We watched in silence as she slowly moved forward.We would move forward a little, then stop and wait for her.Then we would move a little bit more.

　　　 As I watched her try to put one foot in front of the other, I found my heart beating for her.I wanted her to stop, but at the same time, I hoped that she wouldn't.

　　　 Soon she was the only runner that we could see.Tears ran down my face.She was so great! For her, it wasn't about beating the other runners or winning something; it was about finishing what she had decided to do.

　　　 Later in my life, when I think things are too difficult, I will think of the woman—the last runner.

　　　 By the way, she did make it to the finish line that day, when the other runners and the cheering crowds had long gone home.

(　　)6.According to the passage, the event may happen in ________.

　　 A.April B.May　 C.June　 D.July

(　　)7.According to the passage, what do you think the author might be?

A.A teacher. B.A policeman.　

C.A doctor. D.A sportsman.

(　　)8.From the passage, we know that ________.

　　　 A.the author was angry with the last runner

　　　 B.the author learned something from the last runner

C.the last runner didn't make it to the finish line in the end

　　　 D.some runners gave up during the match

(　　)9.Which of the following is TRUE?

　　　 A.The woman was a person with a strong mind.

　　　 B.The woman was both disabled and old.

C.The woman was foolish to join in the match.

　　　 D.The woman had taken part in marathons many times.

(　　)10.What is the best title for the passage?

　　　 A.Beating Others B.Learning from Others

C.An Exciting Marathon　　　　　　　　　　　　 D.The Last Runner

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