Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[mings]

Can I you explain to me the sentence underlined. I don't understand what it means.

' Computers can put together weather statistics, control the progress of steel through a rolling mill and much more. Space travel would be out of the question without them.'Thanks.

[Soymilk]

The author is trying to say that space travel would not be possible without computers.

[RedRose]

out of the question means impossible? no wonder. when I watched FRIENDS, the phrase appeared many times. but I didn't know its meaning.

thanks soymilk.

[mings]

Thanks for your kind help.
I want to ask for another help. I don't understand the sentence. The structure is rather difficult to me.

'But these machines are wonderful proof of how clever people are at working out ways of helping themselves.'

Thanks.

[RedRose]

I guess it means:

Clever people make machines to help themselves get rid of the heavy work or make the heavy work easier.

if I am wrong, please correct me.

[Sina]

Halloooo, I am German, by the way ..Red Rose, you are german as well, am I right?

[mings]

Your explanation is clear to me. But how do you understand like that. I want to know how both of you analyse the sentense so that you have such an explanation. And I want to know the sentence is written correctly?

Thanks a lot.

[river1974]

But these machines are wonderful proof of how clever people are at working out ways of helping themselves.

I guess you could get a clearer view on this sentence by splitting it into the above three parts. Besides, I think this sentence is grammatically correct.

[mings]

It's clear. Thanks a lot.