Advanced Collaborative Discussions · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Linking ideas in a group discussion

English · Speaking & Listening · ages 12-14
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A linking question connects ideas from two different speakers.

    Circle one:   True   False

  2. Before a demanding discussion, what should you prepare?

    • A funny story unrelated to the topic
    • Evidence or notes from your reading
    • A list of who is likely to be wrong

  3. Which question links two speakers' ideas?

    • "I think we should have pizza."
    • "What time is the meeting?"
    • "Can food be cheap and fresh?"

  4. Priya believed school should start later. Then Leo shared research showing focus drops most after lunch, not in the morning. What should Priya do?

    • Ignore Leo and repeat her original point
    • Agree with Leo immediately without saying why
    • Talk through if it changes her view

  5. During a discussion, Sam wants to make a strong point about recycling. What should Sam do first?

    • Refer to something read
    • Speak the loudest to get attention
    • Wait for someone else to make the point first

  6. Two classmates disagree: one says a field trip is too expensive, another says it's educational. What question shows advanced discussion skills?

    • "I don't care about either point."
    • "Can cost and learning both hold?"
    • "The first person is wrong."

  7. Aisha read the assigned article carefully, but in the discussion she only talks about her own idea and never mentions what anyone else said. What is Aisha missing?

    • Having evidence to use
    • Speaking clearly
    • Linking to others

  8. Marcus hears evidence that weakens his argument. He says: "That's interesting, but I still think recess should be longer, because the new evidence only covers younger grades, not ours." What is Marcus doing well?

    • Explaining his reason before deciding
    • Refusing to listen to other ideas
    • Repeating his point without giving a reason
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Linking ideas in a group discussion W1-mt_4oegcJcRlQ-s1

  1. True · That is exactly what a linking question does. It ties two people's ideas together instead of only reacting to one.
  2. Evidence or notes from your reading · Notes or evidence give you something real to point to, instead of guessing from memory.
  3. "Can food be cheap and fresh?" · The cheap-and-fresh question ties cost and freshness into one new question. The others do not connect anyone's ideas.
  4. Talk through if it changes her view · A strong discussion partner thinks about new evidence out loud and explains whether it changes their view.
  5. Refer to something read · Referring to a fact or example from your reading gives your point real support in the discussion.
  6. "Can cost and learning both hold?" · This question holds both classmates' points together and asks whether they can both be true.
  7. Linking to others · Aisha has evidence, but she never connects her idea to what anyone else said, so the discussion stays one-sided.
  8. Explaining his reason before deciding · Marcus listens to the new evidence, explains his reasoning, and only then decides whether to change his mind.
Worksheet · LightMySky