1) Say them out loud in class one by one.

- I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean by...

- (Well,) what I'm trying to say is (that)…

- All I'm trying to say is (that)…

- I'm sorry, could you explain what you mean by…?

- (Well,) the point I'm trying to make is (that)…

- What I mean is (that)…

- I'm sorry, but could you possibly explain what you mean by…?

- (Well,) I think what I mean is (that)…

- I'm afraid I'm not really very clear about what you mean by…

- (Well,) I suppose what I mean is (that)…

- I don't understand what you mean by…

- What I'm saying is (that)…

- What (exactly) do you mean by…?

2) Play the roles of instructor and students in the following dialogue, paying attention to the underlined expressions.

Student A: I have a question.

Instructor: Please, go ahead.

Student A: I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand what you mean by “satellite basics.”

Instructor: What I mean is those things that are fundamental about satellites, such as the orbit of the satellite and its major functions.

Student A: I follow you. Thanks.

Instructor: Anytime. Anything else?

Student B: Could you explain what you mean by “sky talk”?

Instructor: That’s a good question. What I’m trying to say is that most of the working satellites help people communicate. They serve as relay stations for cell phones and television.

Student B: Ah, I see. Now I get you, loud and clear.

Instructor: Great. I can still take another question or two. How about it?

Student C: Well, I’m afraid I’m not really very clear about what you mean by “movers and shakers.”

Instructor: What I mean is those people who use satellites to predict the occurrence (发生) of events hugely important to humans, such as earthquakes.

Student C: Oh, now I see what you mean. Thanks for explaining.

* Give a short oral presentation on the topic below. The following text serves as an example.

The Beauty of Space Technology

We all depend on satellites in one way or another. They work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, high above our heads. Space technology has brought us more benefits than any other technological advancement in the world.

Where would we be these days without satellites? Just think: right now, how could we be as closely connected as cell phones have made us if satellites didn't exist?

And how about satellite TV, which spoils us with so many channels? How many programs do satellites send into our homes? Seems there's no limit.

Space technology has brought such worthwhile benefits to mankind. And they just keep increasing. That's the beauty of space technology. The frontier seems limitless.