Preparing for and Explaining in Discussions · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Getting Ready to Talk

English · Speaking & Listening · ages 8-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. About how many discussion points should you try to prepare before a conversation?

    • One
    • 3
    • Ten

  2. What should you do before joining a class discussion?

    • Read the material and plan points
    • Wait until it starts to think of ideas
    • Let others talk first and stay quiet

  3. During a discussion, it helps to point to your notes or the text when you make a point.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. After the group talks about ants, Wei realizes ants can lift more than she thought. What should she do?

    • Say the group changed her mind
    • Ignore it and move on
    • Argue that she was right all along

  5. Jamal says, 'I think recycling matters,' but doesn't explain why. What could he do to support his point?

    • Say it louder
    • Ask someone else to explain it
    • Point to a fact from the text

  6. Coming to a discussion with no preparation works just as well as coming with three points ready.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. After a discussion, Talia says, 'I still think the same as before, and now I know why, because Sam's example matched mine.' What is she doing?

    • Explaining that she changed her mind
    • Ignoring what Sam said
    • Saying others confirmed her thinking

  8. Ravi prepared three points about a story, but during discussion he only guesses out loud and never mentions the text. What is he missing?

    • Talking louder than everyone else
    • Using notes or text to back ideas
    • Preparing more than three points
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_yrMniCJu_S-s1

Answer key

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

Getting Ready to Talk W1-mt_yrMniCJu_S-s1

  1. 3 · Three points give you enough to share without being too much to remember.
  2. Read the material and plan points · Getting ready ahead of time means you already have something to say.
  3. True · Pointing back to the text or your notes shows others where your idea comes from.
  4. Say the group changed her mind · Saying how your thinking changed shows you were really listening.
  5. Point to a fact from the text · Referring to the text or his notes would show why his idea is true.
  6. False · Without preparation, it is harder to find something ready to say.
  7. Saying others confirmed her thinking · Talia's thinking stayed the same, but she explains why the discussion backed it up.
  8. Using notes or text to back ideas · Preparing points is only half the job. Ravi still needs to use them during the talk.
Worksheet · LightMySky