CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c
The Standard
Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students ask follow-up questions that help speakers add details, reasons, or evidence. They respond with connected ideas and use respectful language to return an off-topic discussion to its focus.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students ask open questions that prompt classmates to explain, clarify, or provide evidence. Their responses connect directly to others’ ideas, and they can politely steer an off-topic exchange back to the main question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may ask yes or no questions that end discussion instead of prompting detail. They may reply with unrelated opinions, repeat earlier points, or redirect peers so abruptly that the conversation stops.
How to Assess It
- Give pairs the claim, “School should start later.” Ask each student to pose one follow-up question, respond with a relevant idea, and redirect one off-topic comment.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups question stems on cards, then have them sort the cards into elaboration questions, yes or no questions, and off-topic questions.
Discuss a short article, then write one question that invites evidence and one response that connects a peer’s idea to the main topic.
Play Discussion Coach, where observers award points for strong follow-up questions, relevant replies, and polite redirects during a four-minute conversation.
Analyze a meeting transcript and revise weak questions or off-topic replies so the speakers reach a clear decision.
Free download
Printable SL.7.1c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1c
Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1c
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others int...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1c
Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of ot...
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