1999年1月英语四级作文真题:别害怕说“不”

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No” 　　Sometimes we have to say “No” to others when they ask us for help. Why? One situation may be that we are not capable of doing the things they ask us to do. The other situation may be that we are unwilling to do what they ask us to do, because their requests may be unreasonable or even illegal. On both occasions we should say directly to them: “No”. 　　But the case is not always the same in our daily life. Some people are afraid to say “No” when they should say so. On the one hand, they are afraid of losing their faces. On the other hand they don’t want to hurt others, such as their family members, relatives, friends or colleagues. 　　To say “Yes” when you should say “No” will eventually do you some harm. If you say “Yes” but fail to help them in the end because of lack of the ability, they may think you are not worthy of trust. If you help them do something bad or illegal, you will be punished for what you have done. So, don’t be afraid to say “No” if necessary.