Have you ever been afraid to talk back when you were treated ____1___? 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 thinks it's because their self-respect is low. "Our whole ____2___ is designed to make people distrust themselves," says Alberti. "There's always '____3___' around-a parent, a teacher, a boss-who 'knows better'. These superiors often gain when they chip(削弱) away at your self-image."

　　But Alberti and other scientists are doing something to help people ____4___ themselves. They ____5 ___ "assertiveness training" courses-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 ___6__ without hurting other people.

　　In one way. learning to speak out is to ___7 ___ fear. A group taking a course will help the timid person to lose his fear. But AT uses an even stronger ___8__-the need to share. The timid person speaks out in the group because he wants to tell how he feels.

　　Whether or not you speak up for yourself depends on your self-image. If someone you face is more "important" than you, you may feel less of a person. You start to ___9___ your own good sense.

　　You go by the other person's ____10__ . But, why should you? AT says you can get to feel good about yourself. And once you do, you can learn to speak out.

A. doubt

B.active

C. system

D. offer

E. unfairly

F. unfortunately

G. motive

H. image

I. peace

J. demand

K. ask

L. superior

M. overcome

N. confidence

O. roar