Work in groups to answer the following questions.Work in groups to answer the following questions.

According to the article, what helped to solve the problems with relationships between Martians and Venusians?

Both Martians and Venusians were able to solve such relationship-linked problems because they could recognize that they were different. One of the secrets of their success was good communication. According to the article, they could communicate well because, interestingly, they spoke different languages.

Do you agree that men and women seldom mean the same things even when they use the same words? Are there any examples in the article that may support your point of view?

Yes, I agree. Male speakers are more direct, and female speakers are more indirect or tactful. For instance, when a woman says, “I feel like you never listen.” she does not expect the word “never” to be taken literally. Using the word “never” is just a way of expressing the frustration she is feeling at the moment. It is not to be taken as if it were factual information.

The author here The author here skillfully applies skillfully applies analogueanalogue ( ( 类比类比 ) ) into the into the communication communication problem between problem between men and women.men and women.

1. 1. One of the secrets of success in dealing with relationship One of the secrets of success in dealing with relationship is is

the good communicationthe good communication between Martians and between Martians and Venusians. Venusians.

(Para. 1)(Para. 1)2. 2. How did they communicate well though they spoke different How did they communicate well though they spoke different

languages? languages? (Para. 2) (Para. 2)

3. 3. People from Mars and people from Venus experienced a People from Mars and people from Venus experienced a

trust and acceptance that we rarely experience today. trust and acceptance that we rarely experience today. (Para.3)(Para.3)

Communication Between Martians and Venusians (Para. 1—3)

Communication Between Men and Women (Para. 4—9)

1. 1. Men and women Men and women seldom mean the same thingsseldom mean the same things even when even when

they use the same words. they use the same words. ( Para. 4)( Para. 4) 2. 2. Ten common complaints that are easily Ten common complaints that are easily misinterpreted. misinterpreted.

(Para. 5—9)(Para. 5—9)

1) 1) When they had problems,When they had problems, they would just go to a translator they would just go to a translator

for assistancefor assistance. .

2) 2) When there was a conflict they didn’t start judging or When there was a conflict they didn’t start judging or

fighting but insteadfighting but instead pulled out their phrase dictionaries to pulled out their phrase dictionaries to

understand each other more fullyunderstand each other more fully..

For example, if a woman says, “I feel like you never For example, if a woman says, “I feel like you never listen”, “never” is just a way of expressing the frustration she listen”, “never” is just a way of expressing the frustration she is feeling at the moment.is feeling at the moment.

1.1. So when communication problems emerged, they So when communication problems emerged, they assumed assumed it was just one of those expected misunderstandings and it was just one of those expected misunderstandings and thatthat with a little assistance they would surely understand with a little assistance they would surely understand each other. each other. (Line 14)(Line 14)

此句中，此句中， assume assume 后跟了两个宾语从句，一句为后跟了两个宾语从句，一句为 it was just one of those expected it was just one of those expected misunderstandings, misunderstandings, 另一句为另一句为 that with a little that with a little assistance they would surely understand each assistance they would surely understand each otherother 。 。

值得注意的是当两个从句并列时，后一个值得注意的是当两个从句并列时，后一个从句的引导词往往不可省略，以显示句子从句的引导词往往不可省略，以显示句子间的关系。此句中的间的关系。此句中的 that that 就是这一用法。就是这一用法。

因此，当交流出现问题的时候，他们认为误解是必然的，这只是众多误解中的一个。同时，在些许帮助下，他们必定能够彼此理解。

1.1. So when communication problems emerged, they So when communication problems emerged, they assumed assumed it was just one of those expected misunderstandings and it was just one of those expected misunderstandings and thatthat with a little assistance they would surely understand with a little assistance they would surely understand each other. each other. (Line 14)(Line 14)

2.2. It is not to be taken It is not to be taken as ifas if it were factual information. it were factual information. (Line 22)(Line 22)

as ifas if 所引导的从句的谓语动词多用虚拟所引导的从句的谓语动词多用虚拟语气，表示所叙述的情况与事实相反。语气，表示所叙述的情况与事实相反。

具体用法如下：具体用法如下：

谈论现在情形，动词用过去时。 谈论现在情形，动词用过去时。

a) Why is she looking at me a) Why is she looking at me as ifas if she she knew knew me? me?

她为什么那样看我？像是认识我似的。她为什么那样看我？像是认识我似的。b) He behaves b) He behaves as ifas if he he ownedowned the house. the house.

他表现出来的样子好像这个房子是属于他的。他表现出来的样子好像这个房子是属于他的。

谈论过去情形的动词形式有以下几种：谈论过去情形的动词形式有以下几种：1) 1) 过去时，表示过去的状态，如：过去时，表示过去的状态，如：a) He stood there looking at me and laughing, as

if to fool me was the best joke in the world.

他站在那里，望着我哈哈大笑，好像愚弄我是天底下最开心的事儿似的。

b) Mr. Coleman always talked as if he knew everything.

科尔曼先生说话时总是一副无所不知的样子。 ► 但是，如果状态动词带有持续时间状语但是，如果状态动词带有持续时间状语 , , 则用过去完成时：则用过去完成时：

They talked as if they had been friends for years.

他们说话的样子仿佛是多年的朋友。

2)2) 过去完成时，表示过去的动作先于主句动词而发过去完成时，表示过去的动作先于主句动词而发生或完成，如：生或完成，如：

a) It was as if he had lost his last friend.

他好像再没有朋友了。b) “I remember,” she tells her children now, “how

wild her white hair looked—as if it had been electrified.”

她现在给她的孩子们说：“我还记得她那白色的头发有多么凌乱——好像过了电似的。”

► 必须注意的是，在指过去的动作时，即使主句是必须注意的是，在指过去的动作时，即使主句是

现在时，现在时， as ifas if 从句中的动词也要用过去完成时。从句中的动词也要用过去完成时。

a) She looks as if she had seen a ghost.

她好像是见了鬼似的。

b) He talks about Rome as if he had been there himself.

他讲起罗马的情况来就好像他去过那里似的。

如果如果 as ifas if 后面的从句所表示的情况是真实的或后面的从句所表示的情况是真实的或很很

可能是真实的，则动词可以用陈述语气，在 可能是真实的，则动词可以用陈述语气，在 feel, feel,

look,look, seemseem, , smell, sound, tastesmell, sound, taste 之后尤其如此。之后尤其如此。He walks as if he He walks as if he isis drunk. drunk.

He walks as if he He walks as if he werewere drunk. drunk.

第一句表示“他已经醉了”，第第一句表示“他已经醉了”，第二二句则句则表示“他没有醉”。表示“他没有醉”。

不要把它当作真实的意思来理解。不要把它当作真实的意思来理解。

2.2. It is not to be taken It is not to be taken as ifas if it were factual information. it were factual information. (Line 22)(Line 22)

3.3. A man’s literal translation of “I don’t feel A man’s literal translation of “I don’t feel heard” leads him to heard” leads him to take take the woman’s the woman’s complaint complaint lightlylightly. . (Line 47)(Line 47)

take sth. lightly/seriously take sth. lightly/seriously

把把 ············ 不当回事不当回事 // 认真对认真对待待 ············

联合国敦促各金融机构更加认真对待水资源短缺联合国敦促各金融机构更加认真对待水资源短缺问题。问题。UN urges financial institutions to take water scarcity more seriously.

当今时代，世界上还有一半人口遭受着饥荒当今时代，世界上还有一半人口遭受着饥荒 , , 健健康状况不良以及生活质量低下，我们决不能再轻视康状况不良以及生活质量低下，我们决不能再轻视人口问题。人口问题。At a time when half of the world is suffering from starvation, poor health and a deplorably low standard of living we simply cannot take lightly the population problem.

男人从字面上去理解“没人听我讲话”，男人从字面上去理解“没人听我讲话”，这使他对女人的抱怨不当回事。这使他对女人的抱怨不当回事。

3.3. A man’s literal translation of “I don’t feel A man’s literal translation of “I don’t feel heard” leads him to heard” leads him to take take the woman’s the woman’s complaint complaint lightlylightly. . (Line 47)(Line 47)

1.1.  encounterencounter ( Line 1, Para. 1)( Line 1, Para. 1)vt.vt. find oneself faced by (danger, difficulties, etc.), meet find oneself faced by (danger, difficulties, etc.), meet

(an enemy or enemies); meet unexpectedly (a friend, (an enemy or enemies); meet unexpectedly (a friend, etc.) etc.) 遭遇（危险，困难）；遭逢（敌人）；邂逅（友人）遭遇（危险，困难）；遭逢（敌人）；邂逅（友人）

情景造句：情景造句： Describe your process of pursuing success.Describe your process of pursuing success.

Encountering difficultiesEncountering difficulties in the process of pursuing success in the process of pursuing success is quite normal. is quite normal.

在追求成功的过程中在追求成功的过程中遇到困难遇到困难是很正常的事情。是很正常的事情。That Muslim ______________________________________ That Muslim ______________________________________ on his way to Mecca to make a pilgrimage. on his way to Mecca to make a pilgrimage.

在前往麦加朝圣的路上，那位穆斯林在前往麦加朝圣的路上，那位穆斯林意外地遇到了一位遇到了一位来自中国的老友来自中国的老友。。

was encountered with an old friend from Chinawas encountered with an old friend from China

n.n. sudden or unexpected (esp. hostile) meeting (with) sudden or unexpected (esp. hostile) meeting (with)

遭遇（尤指与敌人，与介词遭遇（尤指与敌人，与介词 withwith 连用）连用）

___________________________________ ___________________________________ resulted in a resulted in a serious injury in the American soldier’s left arm. serious injury in the American soldier’s left arm.

与基地组织一分支遭遇与基地组织一分支遭遇致使那位美军士兵左臂受重伤。致使那位美军士兵左臂受重伤。

An encounter with a branch of Al-QaedaAn encounter with a branch of Al-Qaeda

2.2. assistanceassistance (Line 6, Para. 2)(Line 6, Para. 2)

n.n. help; aid help; aid 帮助；援助帮助；援助

我可以帮你什么忙吗？我可以帮你什么忙吗？ Can I be of any Can I be of any assistanceassistance to you? to you?

Chinese government is prepared to ___________________ Chinese government is prepared to ___________________ to that quake-stricken African country. to that quake-stricken African country. （（提供经济援助）提供经济援助）

The identity of world champion _____________________ The identity of world champion _____________________ Liu Guoliang to become one of the youngest head coaches Liu Guoliang to become one of the youngest head coaches of Chinese national table tennis team. of Chinese national table tennis team. （（有着很大的帮助）有着很大的帮助）

give financial assistancegive financial assistance

is of great assistance foris of great assistance for

动词形式：动词形式： assistassist

= = helphelp （（正式用语）帮助；援助正式用语）帮助；援助

他乐意他乐意帮助帮助那些单亲家庭的孩子重返校园。那些单亲家庭的孩子重返校园。

He is willing to He is willing to assistassist those children those children from the single-parent families to go from the single-parent families to go back to school. back to school.

aid, assistance 与 help

aid aid 多指因处于困境或危难之时需要别人的帮助或援救。多指因处于困境或危难之时需要别人的帮助或援救。

He is willing to go to the aid of those ill-fated people.

e.g. e.g. 他愿意去他愿意去帮助帮助那些不幸的人。那些不幸的人。

assistanceassistance 主要指在共同工作中对所属的部分工作做出主要指在共同工作中对所属的部分工作做出 贡献。贡献。 assistance assistance 不一定都是在紧迫的情况下提供帮不一定都是在紧迫的情况下提供帮助。助。 help help 的用法最为普遍，的用法最为普遍， assistance assistance 最为正式，最为正式， aid aid 次次之。之。 help help 往往是出于同情而提供帮助。往往是出于同情而提供帮助。

He has already given us a lot of He has already given us a lot of helphelp. . e.g. e.g. 他已经给了我们很多的他已经给了我们很多的帮助帮助。。

3.3. conflictconflict (Line 8, Para. 2)(Line 8, Para. 2)

n.n. 1) fight; struggle; quarrel 1) fight; struggle; quarrel 战争；斗争；争执战争；斗争；争执

这是一场严重的争执，有可能导致这是一场严重的争执，有可能导致武装冲突武装冲突。。

This is a serious dispute, and could lead to This is a serious dispute, and could lead to armed armed conflictconflict. .

There is a growing There is a growing conflict of interestconflict of interest between her between her position as a politician and her business activities.position as a politician and her business activities.

她从政者的身份和她的商务活动之间的她从政者的身份和她的商务活动之间的利益冲利益冲突突日益严重。日益严重。

2) (2) (of opinion, desires, etc.) opposition; difference of opinion, desires, etc.) opposition; difference

（指意见，欲望等）相左；冲突；抵触（指意见，欲望等）相左；冲突；抵触

他的陈述明显与其他证据他的陈述明显与其他证据相抵触相抵触。。His statement was apparently His statement was apparently in conflictin conflict with with other other evidence.evidence.

vi.vi. be in opposition or disagreement be in opposition or disagreement

相反，抵触，冲突相反，抵触，冲突

他们对于那起车祸原因的报告与我们的报告他们对于那起车祸原因的报告与我们的报告出入很大出入很大。。Their account of the road accident Their account of the road accident conflictsconflicts withwith ours. ours.

4.4. pull outpull out (Line (Line 88, Para.2), Para.2) 1) 1) take something out of a bag, pocket, or cupboard take something out of a bag, pocket, or cupboard 拿出拿出

That disarming young man ______________That disarming young man ______________

____________________ ____________________ to show to the two to show to the two

strangers in the same carriage. (Adapted from strangers in the same carriage. (Adapted from

Feng Xiaogang’s 2005 new year movie Feng Xiaogang’s 2005 new year movie A A

World Without ThievesWorld Without Thieves) )

那个毫无戒心的年轻人那个毫无戒心的年轻人从包里拿出自己所有从包里拿出自己所有的钱的钱给同车厢的两个陌生人看。（编自冯小给同车厢的两个陌生人看。（编自冯小刚刚 20052005 年贺岁片《天下无贼》）年贺岁片《天下无贼》）

pulled out allpulled out all

his money from his baghis money from his bag

2) 2) use force to take something from where it is use force to take something from where it is

fixed or held fixed or held 拔出，拉出拔出，拉出

情景造句：情景造句：拔牙拔牙You’d better You’d better have that bad tooth have that bad tooth pulled outpulled out tomorrow. tomorrow.

情景造句：情景造句：拔掉瓶子的盖子拔掉瓶子的盖子 Pulling outPulling out the lid of that bottlethe lid of that bottle needs needs great strength. great strength.

5.5. emergeemerge (Line 1(Line 144, Para. 3), Para. 3)

vi.vi. 1) come into view; 1) come into view; appearappear

出现；现出（与出现；现出（与 fromfrom 连用）连用）

太阳从云后太阳从云后出现出现。。 The sun The sun emergedemerged from behind the clouds. from behind the clouds.

2) (2) (of facts, ideas) appear; become known of facts, ideas) appear; become known

（指事实，意见）暴露；显出；出现（指事实，意见）暴露；显出；出现

他才是杀人凶手的事实在审问他才是杀人凶手的事实在审问 ((interrogationinterrogation)) 中中被暴露出来被暴露出来。。 That fact that he was just the murderer That fact that he was just the murderer emergedemerged from the from the

interrogation. interrogation.

讨论中没有讨论中没有出现出现新的想法。新的想法。 No new ideas No new ideas emergedemerged during the discussion. during the discussion.

appearappear 与与 emergeemerge

这两个词都是不及物动词。均可指人或事物的出这两个词都是不及物动词。均可指人或事物的出 现或显露，也可以指抽象概念，如思想观念的现或显露，也可以指抽象概念，如思想观念的暴暴 露，事实或问题的揭露等等。露，事实或问题的揭露等等。 emerge emerge 后常接介词后常接介词 fromfrom 。。有时表示经过调查、询有时表示经过调查、询 问之后才使事实、思想或问题暴露出来；问之后才使事实、思想或问题暴露出来； appear appear 在作系动词时，与在作系动词时，与 seemseem 用法相似，表示用法相似，表示“看“看 起来”、“显得”等意思，其后可接不定式、起来”、“显得”等意思，其后可接不定式、形容词形容词 或介词短语。或介词短语。

请选择 appear appear 或 emerge emerge 的适当形式填空。

That man _______ to be your partner but I’m investigating That man _______ to be your partner but I’m investigating if he really is. if he really is.

Eventually the truth of the matter ________.Eventually the truth of the matter ________.

A smile ________ on his face.A smile ________ on his face.

Quite a few successful businessmen _________ from Quite a few successful businessmen _________ from poor families. poor families.

appears appears

emerged emerged

appearedappeared

emerged emerged

6.6. assumeassume (Line 1(Line 144, Para. 3), Para. 3)vt.vt. 1) believe something is true without definite proof 1) believe something is true without definite proof

假定假定 , , 假设假设 , , 臆想臆想

American national basketball team is not American national basketball team is not as unconquerable as unconquerable as you assumed it to beas you assumed it to be. .

美国国家篮球队并不像美国国家篮球队并不像你想象的那样你想象的那样不可战胜。不可战胜。

我们先我们先假定假定他的说法是可信的。他的说法是可信的。

Let us first Let us first assumeassume his statement to be believable. his statement to be believable.

2) 2) take up; undertake take up; undertake 担任；承担担任；承担

Her father ______________________ in that state-owned Her father ______________________ in that state-owned enterprise.enterprise. （（担任领导职务）担任领导职务）

You should ________________________ of what you You should ________________________ of what you have done.have done. （（承担所有的责任）承担所有的责任）

名词形式：名词形式： assumption

assumes a leading positionassumes a leading position

assume all the responsibilitiesassume all the responsibilities

assumeassume, guessguess, imagineimagine 与 suppose

这几个词都表示对客观情况在未证实以前就做出主观的推这几个词都表示对客观情况在未证实以前就做出主观的推 断或提出自己的看法与设想。 断或提出自己的看法与设想。 suppose (suppose (vtvt..)) 表示“想”、“认为”时，可以接从句或者复表示“想”、“认为”时，可以接从句或者复合宾合宾 语（补足语多为 语（补足语多为 to beto be, , 其他情况多用不定式的完成时其他情况多用不定式的完成时或进或进 行时）。行时）。1) I 1) I supposesuppose (that) we’ll meet him at that hotel. (that) we’ll meet him at that hotel.

我我想想我们将在那家酒店见他。我们将在那家酒店见他。2) Few people2) Few people supposed supposed that young man (to be) innocent. that young man (to be) innocent.

没多少人没多少人认为认为那个年轻人是清白的。那个年轻人是清白的。3) His brother 3) His brother was supposed to have already left for Englandwas supposed to have already left for England. .

大家大家以为以为他的弟弟他的弟弟已经动身去了英格兰已经动身去了英格兰。。

suppose suppose 的设想还有某些根据，而 的设想还有某些根据，而 guess (guess (vt.vt.//vi.vi.)) 则有随意则有随意 性，只是随便的猜测，其后也可接从句。如果性，只是随便的猜测，其后也可接从句。如果 guessguess 后接后接 answer, riddle, thoughtanswer, riddle, thought 等词，可作“猜着了等词，可作“猜着了””理解。理解。

1) Can you guess my age? 你能猜出我的年龄吗？2) Guess what I am doing. 猜猜我在做什么。3) The little girl guessed the right answer immediately.

那个小女孩儿立刻猜着了正确答案。 imagine (imagine (vt.vt.)) 是指思想中形成的图景，想象或猜想某事物是指思想中形成的图景，想象或猜想某事物 可能发生或存在，往往没有什么根据和把握。其后的宾可能发生或存在，往往没有什么根据和把握。其后的宾语 语 除名词和代词外，还可接动名词、复合宾语和从句。除名词和代词外，还可接动名词、复合宾语和从句。

1) Can you imagine her becoming a famous hostess of CCTV? 你能想象她成了中央电视台的著名主持人吗？2) You cannot imagine how happy I was to know that my daughter was still alive. 你无法想象当我得知女儿还活 着的时候有多么高兴。 assume (assume (vt.vt.)) 的“假设”往往强调以某种设想或条件（并的“假设”往往强调以某种设想或条件（并未未 证明）作根据进行推论，用法较正式。其后可接复合宾证明）作根据进行推论，用法较正式。其后可接复合宾 语和语和 thatthat 从句。从句。e.g. She assumes that you always get up at the same time.

她想你总是在同一个时间起床。

请选择 请选择 assume, guess, imagine assume, guess, imagine 或 或 suppose suppose 的适当形的适当形式填空。式填空。

I failed to ________ her thought.I failed to ________ her thought. They are _________ to arrive on the six o’clock They are _________ to arrive on the six o’clock passenger train from London.passenger train from London.

He said he could _________ the scene clearly in his mind. He said he could _________ the scene clearly in his mind.

That young man _________ the girl to be a warm-hearted That young man _________ the girl to be a warm-hearted traveler, but she was in fact a thief. traveler, but she was in fact a thief.

It might be safely _________ that there are noIt might be safely _________ that there are no creatures on creatures on the moon. the moon.

guessguess

supposedsupposed

imagineimagine

supposedsupposed

assumedassumed

7.7. exaggerate exaggerate (Line 2(Line 233, Para. 5), Para. 5)

v.v. say something is better, worse or more important say something is better, worse or more important

than it really is than it really is 夸大，夸张夸大，夸张

那场商业演出的意义那场商业演出的意义被明显夸大了被明显夸大了。。

The significance of that commercial performance The significance of that commercial performance ___________________________. ___________________________.

The deadly earthquake and tsunami breaking out in Southeast The deadly earthquake and tsunami breaking out in Southeast Asia in December 2004 was so serious that the final death toll Asia in December 2004 was so serious that the final death toll _______________________ at first._______________________ at first.

20042004 年年 1212 月发生在东南亚地区的地震和海啸非常严月发生在东南亚地区的地震和海啸非常严重，以致于死难者总人数乍重，以致于死难者总人数乍听起来都略显夸张听起来都略显夸张。。

has been obviously exaggeratedhas been obviously exaggerated

sounded a bit exaggeratingsounded a bit exaggerating

8.8. ignoreignore (Line 3(Line 322, Para. 5), Para. 5) vt.vt. take no notice of, refuse to pay attention to take no notice of, refuse to pay attention to

不顾，不理，忽视不顾，不理，忽视

情景造句：情景造句：水资源短缺问题水资源短缺问题 People all over the world should not People all over the world should not ignoreignore severe severe water shortage problems.water shortage problems.

情景造句：情景造句：她不理睬我她不理睬我I I said hello to her,said hello to her, but she but she ignoredignored me me completely completely. .

情景造句：情景造句：驾驶员 闯红灯驾驶员 闯红灯A good driver never A good driver never ignoresignores a red light a red light. .

9.9. conveyconvey (Line 4(Line 422, Para. 6), Para. 6)v.v. 1) communicate information or a message 1) communicate information or a message

表达，传递表达，传递

我将不得不把那个坏消息我将不得不把那个坏消息告诉告诉他。他。 I will have to I will have to convey convey that bad news to him.that bad news to him.

The leaders of the local government The leaders of the local government __________________________

_______________ _______________ to the relatives of that sacrificial to the relatives of that sacrificial

fireman.fireman.

当地政府领导向那位牺牲的消防员的家属当地政府领导向那位牺牲的消防员的家属表示了表示了最深切的慰问最深切的慰问。。

deepest sympathydeepest sympathyconveyed theirconveyed their

2) 2) transport or carry transport or carry 运送，载送，输送运送，载送，输送

Those trucks had secretly Those trucks had secretly conveyedconveyed weapons to the local weapons to the local anti-US forces.anti-US forces.

那些卡车已经把武器秘密地那些卡车已经把武器秘密地运运给了当地的反美武装给了当地的反美武装部队部队。。

A bus A bus conveyedconveyed the passengers from the city to the passengers from the city to the airport. the airport.

公共汽车把旅客从城里公共汽车把旅客从城里运送运送到了机场。到了机场。

10.10. on the verge ofon the verge of (Line 5(Line 533, Para. 9), Para. 9)very close to, on the border ofvery close to, on the border of

接近于，濒于接近于，濒于

Her husband’s death almost pushed her Her husband’s death almost pushed her ______________________

___________________. ___________________. (精神崩溃的边缘 )

Zhao Benshan’s humorous performance even made his Zhao Benshan’s humorous performance even made his serious-looking father serious-looking father __________________________________________. . (差点儿笑出来 )

of emotional collapseof emotional collapse

on the verge of laughingon the verge of laughing

FamousFamous singer Kris Phillips is singer Kris Phillips is __________________________________. ( 年近 50 了 )

on the vergeon the verge

on the verge of fiftyon the verge of fifty

找人帮忙 找人帮忙

言语是传递信息的言语是传递信息的一种方式。 一种方式。

没人关心我。 没人关心我。

没把他的话当回事 没把他的话当回事

他俩就要吵起来了。 他俩就要吵起来了。

go to sb. for assistance / helpgo to sb. for assistance / help

Speech is a means of Speech is a means of conveying information.conveying information.

I don’t feel heard. I don’t feel heard.

to take his words lightly

They are on the verge of They are on the verge of arguing. arguing.