Game · Talking
Twenty questions
One player secretly picks a meaning card. The others ask yes or no questions to work out which it is.
- 15 minutes
- In pairs, Small group
- Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: cut-out cards
What to do
- Cut out the cards. Lay the eight saying cards face up where everyone can see them, and read each with its meaning using the list on this page.
- Shuffle the meaning cards and put them face down in a pile.
- One player takes a meaning card and keeps it secret.
- The others take turns to ask questions with a yes or no answer. For example: “Is it about visitors?” or “Would you say it after a mistake?”
- When someone thinks they know, they point to a saying card and say its meaning. If they are right, they pick the next secret card.
- If nobody gets it in twenty questions, the player with the card shows it and picks again.
Questions to talk about
- Which question helped the most?
- Which two meanings were easiest to mix up?
You will need
- The printed card sheet, cut out
- Scissors
Make it fit
Simpler: Use four sayings and allow any question, not just yes or no.
More of a stretch: Questions must be about real-life situations only, such as “Would you say it to someone who just came home from a trip?”
Sayings used
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The cut-out cards
Cut out the cards. Each saying has one card in Irish and one with its meaning.
The instructions card
How to run it · Game · Talking
Twenty questions
One player secretly picks a meaning card. The others ask yes or no questions to work out which it is.
15 minutesIn pairs, Small groupAges 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Cut out the cards. Lay the eight saying cards face up where everyone can see them, and read each with its meaning using the list on this page.
- Shuffle the meaning cards and put them face down in a pile.
- One player takes a meaning card and keeps it secret.
- The others take turns to ask questions with a yes or no answer. For example: “Is it about visitors?” or “Would you say it after a mistake?”
- When someone thinks they know, they point to a saying card and say its meaning. If they are right, they pick the next secret card.
- If nobody gets it in twenty questions, the player with the card shows it and picks again.
You will need
- The printed card sheet, cut out
- Scissors
Talk about
- Which question helped the most?
- Which two meanings were easiest to mix up?
Make it fit
Simpler: Use four sayings and allow any question, not just yes or no.
Stretch: Questions must be about real-life situations only, such as “Would you say it to someone who just came home from a trip?”
Goes with the printable cut-out cards.