--- title: "Cross Questions" description: "Participants review a two-page reference document, split into pairs, and quiz each other on separate pages. In the second round, partners swap roles and test recall on the opposite page." last_updated: "2026-09-07" canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/tgl-july-2014/" --- # Cross Questions Participants review a two-page reference document, split into pairs, and quiz each other on separate pages. In the second round, partners swap roles and test recall on the opposite page. **Time:** 18 minutes. Thiagi suggests 15 to 40 minutes (20 minutes typical). This UWT run sheet standardizes to 18 minutes. **People:** 4 to 24. Pairs; participants switch partners for round two. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Test and reinforce recall of factual reference material through reciprocal peer quizzing. **Use it when:** Use when a group needs to memorize or quickly navigate factual information, reference lists, definitions, or paired associations. **Skip it when:** Skip when the goal is open-ended debate, strategic reflection, or when participants need to produce original work. ## Materials and tools - 1 two-page factual handout per participant (two distinct pages with balanced content) - 1 scoring index card per participant - 1 pen or pencil per participant - 1 timer or visual clock - 1 bell or chime for time signals ## Before participants arrive 1. Print the two-page reference handout double-sided or as separate paired sheets, ensuring each page has roughly equivalent amounts of information. 2. Place one handout, one index card, and one pen at each seat. ## Say this to open We are going to master the key information in this reference sheet using Cross Questions. You will read both pages on your own first. Then you will pair up to test each other, scoring points for every correct response. Let us start with three minutes of quiet reading. ## How to run it ### 1. Read independently (3 minutes) Distribute the two-page handout. Direct participants to read both pages silently, take notes, underline key facts, and prepare to answer rapid-fire questions. Start a 3-minute timer. ### 2. Pair and assign pages (2 minutes) Ask participants to pair up and sit facing each other. If there is an odd number, one person may serve as scorekeeper-timer for a trio or pair with the facilitator. One partner takes Page 1 and the other takes Page 2. Each partner takes an index card to record points earned by the other player. ### 3. Run first quiz round (3 minutes) Partners take turns. The person holding Page 1 asks a question based solely on Page 1. The responder answers from memory. If correct, the questioner makes a tick mark on the scorecard. If incorrect or blank, the questioner shows the answer on the page. Partners alternate questioning for 3 minutes until the signal sounds. ### 4. Review second page (2 minutes) Signal stop. Partners tally round-one ticks and hand the scorecard back to the responder. Give participants 2 minutes to study the opposite page to prepare for round two. ### 5. Switch partners and quiz round two (4 minutes) Participants find a new partner who had the opposite page in round one. Partners now test each other on their new assigned pages for 3 minutes, using the reverse side of their index cards to track points. Signal when time expires. ### 6. Tally scores and debrief (4 minutes) Participants sum points across both rounds on their scorecards. Congratulate high scorers or celebrate personal progress. Conduct a short group debrief with two directed questions. ## Debrief questions - Which memorization strategy helped you recall details most effectively during rapid questioning? - Where on the job will you need immediate factual recall versus looking up the reference sheet? **Finished output:** Completed individual scorecards recording recall accuracy across both pages of reference material. ## Remote Send the two-page reference document as a PDF. Conduct silent study in the main room. Send pairs into breakout rooms for Round 1, assigning Partner A to Page 1 and Partner B to Page 2. Broadcast remaining time. Return to the main room for 2 minutes of silent review, then assign new breakout pairs for Round 2. Participants record their own points via digital notes or chat. ## Hybrid Pair in-person participants with in-person partners and remote participants with remote partners in breakout rooms. Use digital copies of the handout and online score tracking for everyone to maintain equivalent access. ## Access and participation choices - Provide digital text or high-contrast printed handouts for readability. - Participants may opt to keep their final point total private or serve as timekeeper and answer checker instead of competitive quizzing. ## If the session gets stuck **One partner asks overly complicated or trick questions that consume all the time.** Remind questioners to ask short, direct factual questions (for example, naming the prompt item so the partner provides the code or fact). **An odd number of participants leaves one person without a partner.** Form one group of three where two participants answer alternating questions from one questioner, or have the facilitator pair with the extra person. ## Terms used here - Textra game: A structured training activity that uses existing printed text or reference handouts as the basis for interactive peer learning and review. - Framegame: A reusable instructional game structure whose specific content can be replaced with any topic. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Thiagi GameLetter (July 2014), published by The Thiagi Group, featuring 'Cross Questions: A Textra Framegame' and its example game 'Country Codes'. Retains the core Cross Questions framegame flow published in the July 2014 Thiagi GameLetter: 2-page balanced handout, independent study, reciprocal pair testing, page swap with a new partner, and scoring. UWT added explicit step-by-step minute allocations totaling 18 minutes, opening script, remote/hybrid rules, access accommodations, and debrief prompts. [The Thiagi Group](https://thiagi.net/archive/www/pfp/IE4H/july2014.html) [The Thiagi Group](http://thiagi.net/archive/www/pfp/IE4H/july2014.html) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/tgl-july-2014/