Assertive Communication · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Assertive Communication

Personal & Social Development · Friendship & Cooperation · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which style means staying quiet and going along with what others want, even when you don't like it?

    • Assertive
    • Passive
    • Aggressive

  2. Which response shows assertive communication?

    • Calmly saying what you need and want
    • Staying quiet and letting it happen
    • Yelling and demanding your way

  3. Being assertive means being loud and pushy to get your way.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Zoe doesn't want to lend her favorite book, but her friend keeps asking. Zoe says nothing and hands it over anyway. What style is this?

    • Passive
    • Assertive
    • Aggressive

  5. Some friends want Amir to copy answers on a test. Amir says, 'No, I don't want to do that. I'm doing my own work.' What style is this?

    • Passive
    • Aggressive
    • Assertive

  6. Which sentence is the most assertive way to tell a friend you don't want to skip class with them?

    • "Whatever, I guess."
    • "No thanks, I don't want to skip class."
    • "You're an idiot for asking."

  7. Some friends want to leave another classmate out of a group activity. Which response is assertive?

    • "I don't want to leave anyone out. I'm including them."
    • "Sure, let's leave them out."
    • "Stop being so mean, all of you!"

  8. Leo tells his friends, 'Fine, I'll do it, I guess,' but feels upset inside and never says so. Did Leo respond assertively?

    • Yes, because he agreed to go along with the group
    • No, because he was aggressive toward his friends
    • No, because he stayed passive and hid his real feelings
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Assertive Communication W1-mt_rqLMfiw61L-s1

  1. Passive · Passive means giving in and not saying how you really feel.
  2. Calmly saying what you need and want · Assertive means being clear about what you need, without staying silent or being pushy.
  3. False · That describes aggressive. Assertive is calm and respectful, not pushy.
  4. Passive · Zoe gave in and didn't share her real feelings. That's passive.
  5. Assertive · Amir said no clearly and calmly without being mean. That's assertive.
  6. "No thanks, I don't want to skip class." · It's clear and calm, and it doesn't attack the friend.
  7. "I don't want to leave anyone out. I'm including them." · This response is honest about the boundary and still respectful toward the friends.
  8. No, because he stayed passive and hid his real feelings · Leo went along with something he didn't want without saying how he felt. That's passive, not assertive.
Worksheet · LightMySky