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.

What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　
Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　
In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　
Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　
The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　

1. 1.

   How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　

   1. A.
      They stop using them
   2. B.
      They give them to others
   3. C.
      They fix them up.　　
2. 2.

   What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　

   1. A.
      They don’t do anything about them.　　
   2. B.
      They take back some old ones.       　　
   3. C.
      They donate them to some charities.　　
3. 3.

   According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　

   1. A.
      Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　
   2. B.
      Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　
   3. C.
      Make much cheaper computers.　　
4. 4.

   What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　

   1. A.
      Expensive
   2. B.
      Useful
   3. C.
      Out-of -date.　　
5. 5.

   What is the passage about?　　

   1. A.
      Repairing old computers.　　
   2. B.
      Selling old computers.              　　
   3. C.
      Recycling old computers. 　

What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　
Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　
In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　
Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　
The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　
【小题1】 How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　
A. They stop using them. B. They give them to others.   C. They fix them up.　　
【小题2】 What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　
A. They don’t do anything about them.　　
B. They take back some old ones.       　　
C. They donate them to some charities.　　
【小题3】According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　
A. Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　
B. Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　
C. Make much cheaper computers.　　
【小题4】 What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　
A. Expensive.        B. Useful.         C. Out-of -date.　　
【小题5】 What is the passage about?　　
A. Repairing old computers.　　
B. Selling old computers.              　　
C. Recycling old computers. 　

What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.　　

Some companies are thinking of ways to bring down the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and other companies now also take back some old computers.　　

In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to collect and recycle their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade（升级）.　　

Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.　　

The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down on waste, too.　　

1. How do people usually deal with their old computers?　　

A. They stop using them. B. They give them to others.   C. They fix them up.　　

2. What do some computer companies do to bring down the number of old computers?　　

A. They don’t do anything about them.　　

B. They take back some old ones.       　　

C. They donate them to some charities.　　

3.According to some countries’ laws, what must computer companies do?　　

A. Collect and recycle most of computer waste. 　　

B. Repair and upgrade old computers.      　　

C. Make much cheaper computers.　　

4. What may people who can’t afford computers think of the used computers?　　

A. Expensive.        B. Useful.         C. Out-of -date.　　

5. What is the passage about?　　

A. Repairing old computers.　　

B. Selling old computers.              　　

C. Recycling old computers.