Have you ever been afraid to talk back when you were treated unfairly? Have you ever bought something just because the salesman talked you into it? Are you afraid to ask someone for a date?

Many people are afraid to assert(表现)themselves. Dr.Alberti, author of Stand Up, Speak Out, and Talk Back, thinks it’s because their self-respect is low.Our whole set up(体制)is designed to make people distrust themselves,says Alberti.There’s always’superior’around–a parent, a teacher, a boss-who’knows better’. There superiors often gain when they chip(削弱)away at your self-image.

But Alberti and other scientists are doing something to help people assert themselves. They offerassertiveness trainingcourses–AT for short. In the AT courses people learn that they have a right to be themselves. They learn to speak out and feel good about doing so. They learn　to be more active without hurting other people.

In one way, learning to speak out is to overcome fear. A group taking an At course will help the timid person to lose his fear. But At uses an even stronger motive-the need to share. The timid person speaks out in the group because he wants to tell how the feels.

Whether or not you speak up for yourself depends on your self-image. If someone you face is moreimportantthan you, you may feel less of a person. You start to doubt your own good sense.

You go by the other person’s demand. But, why should you? AT says you can get to feel good about yourself. And once you do, you can learn to speak out.

1. As used the first line, the phrasetalk backmeans 　.

A)persuade somebody to change his mind

B)answer showing disagreement

C)talk and go back

D)fight bravely

2. The passage mainly discusses the problem that　.

A)people are easily cheated when they buy something

B)people are afraid to speak for themselves

C)some people think too low of the themselves

D)some people are afraid of superiors

3. We may infer from the passage that the author’s attitude towards the whole set up is　.

A)positive

B)negative

C)hostile

D)appreciative

4. One thing thatAssertiveness Trainingdoes not do is　.

A)help people overcome fear

B)show people they have a right to be themselves

C)help people to assert themselves even if others suffer

D)help people to feel good about themselves

5. A best title for this passage is　.

A)Assertiveness Training

B)Development of Self-respect

C)The Importance of Self-image

D)How to Feel Good About Yourself

参考答案：

1.B　2.C　3.B　4.C　5.A