Read the following passage, and answer the questions.
Negotiating Solutions
In the course of everyday life, people often have goals or desires that cause conflict with others around them. Such disagreements are frequent and often unavoidable. How we handle conflicts thus becomes a major factor in our quality of life. Many people spend much of their lives angry and
hostile because they do not get the things they want. Negotiation is a process by which two people reach agreement after a peaceful discussion.
Disagreements can be settled so that only one side wins. However, over the years one strategy, called win-win, has proven to be superior. When negotiators pursue this strategy, they commit to having both sides benefit.
Each side knows they will benefit from negotiating. This prevents the ‘losing side’ from using pressure or violence to resolve the situation in their own favor.
Informal negotiation is common in everyday life. We may negotiate with family members to get them to do their share of chores around the house. We may negotiate with our friends to see what we will do together during our free time. Negotiation is a powerful social tool to get more of what we want, to keep our friends and family happier, and to improve our quality of life.
1. According to the reading passage, what happens in a win-win situation?
benefit, prevent, violent methods, favorable
Your answer may begin like: Both sides of the negotiation benefit. Plus, ....
2. What have you negotiated for lately?
return, discount, benefit, deal, at work, raise
Your answer may begin like: The first time was when I bought a printer on the Internet and I found a ....
