expressions - Rules for rising and falling intonation in similar questions - what are they?


Consider these two questions:



Would you mind saying a little bit more about that?



and



What do you mean by that?



When they perform the same function, and I expect an answer to both, why does the first have a falling intonation and the second one which rises?


My group of learners are as puzzled as I am - what suggestions does this group have?




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