Classroom Hearing Activity

Who Made It? Mock Hearing

A 25-minute mock hearing: groups of four argue who should get the credit for a work made with a program.

A stylized wooden judge gavel resting beside a futuristic digital glowing tablet on a courtroom table, vibrant clean gra

1. Make groups of four: two advocates (A and B) and two judges. One judge keeps the score.
2. Give each group one case card and show the timer on the board.
3. Keep to the speaking times so the hearing stays quick.
4. Walk around and listen for the unit words and sentences starting with It.
5. At the end, ask some judges to read out their verdict. The answers are in the Teacher key.

1. Read your case card and find what the two sides disagree about.
2. Build your reasons with the sentence starters and the unit words.
3. Advocate A argues first for two minutes; Advocate B responds directly for two minutes.
4. The judges ask each side one question before they decide.
5. The judges decide which side argued better, give their reasons, and write the points.

Step 1: Briefing

Assign roles, inspect the case card, and choose key arguments.

Step 2: Preparation

Write your opening lines with the starters; judges prepare one question for each side.

Step 3: The Hearing

Side A speaks (2m), Side B speaks (2m), then the judges ask their questions.

Step 4: Verdict

Judges choose the winner, fill in the verdict box, and say why.

Step 5: Debrief

Count the points and talk about who should get the credit.

📋 Tribunal Deliberation Sheet

Live Role-Play Worksheet

Sentence Starting with It

Earn 1 point for each reason or question with a correct It sentence (It is ... that ..., or find it ... that ...).

Target Unit Word

Earn 1 point for every unit word used correctly (e.g., originality, authorship, attribution, imitation).

Judges' Bonus

The judges give 3 bonus points to the advocate who argued best.

Starter 1

"It is widely felt that..."

Combine with: authorship

Starter 2

"It is no coincidence that..."

Combine with: originality

Starter 3

"It is only fair that..."

Combine with: attribution

Starter 4

"I find it unfair that..."

Combine with: plagiarism

Starter 5

"It is hard to believe that..."

Combine with: imitation

Starter 6

"It is no surprise that..."

Combine with: copyright

⚠️ How to Mark the Judges

Mark the judges on their reasons and questions, not on which side they choose. A judge earns points for correct It sentences and unit words, just like the advocates.

❌ Common Learner Error to Correct

"It is widely felt what the creator worked very hard..."

✅ Correction: "It is widely felt that the creator worked very hard..." (Use that to introduce the factual clause, not what).

Help Slips

Give out slips with half a sentence, for example "It is only fair that ...", so shy speakers only finish the ending.

Cross-Examination

Each advocate may ask the other side one question before the judges decide.

Judges Must Agree

The two judges must choose the same winner. If they cannot agree, the whole class votes.

Draft the Regulation

Fast groups write a two-sentence contest rule, starting with "It is only fair that...", for pictures made with a program.

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