temperature gauge not working

[Slowgoin]

I just spent considerable time reading old threads on this topic and need someone to put this in terms that I can comprehend. Admittedly I have no experience with multimeters, ohms, continuity, or other procedures and terms discussed in past threads. I did learn that I can disconnect the sending wire and ground it and the meter should peg hot if the sender is good. But if it doesn't, who can tell me in common terms what I check next and how? Do I check something in the wiring or on the back of the gauge cluster, what? Please, someone dumb this down for me. THANKS