In dating, as in life, there is such a thing as trying too hard. Yes, making an effort on your date matters - but when you try to over-complicate things, you can end up being a 'turn-off' for your date. Your best bet is to keep things simple on a first date - here's 4 questions to make you more likable and, therefore, more successful on your date:

1. How's your day?:  everyone likes to talk about themselves, and that means your date does to. Asking easy, open-ended questions gives them the chance to start a conversation about something they feel comfortable about. It also shows that you're interested in them, which is exactly the image you want to project on a date.
2. What do you think?:  having a two-way conversation on your date is an essential part of getting to a second and third date and beyond. Instead of just talking about yourself the whole time, find a fun subject that interests you both (movies, music, travel, etc.) and ask their opinion about it. This shows you respect their opinion, and respect is a very sexy quality.
3. Why?:  asking follow up questions shows you're date that you are listening to them, and actively interested in getting to know them better. Why do they love travel? Why did they choose their educational or career path? Why did they love that movie? Avoid more personal questions like 'why are you single' - there'll be a time & place to ask that, but a first date is not that time.
4. Would you like to catch a movie next week?:  the single biggest reason why first dates don't go anywhere is because one or both people don't ask for a second date. Don't be that statistic. If the dates going well (even if it's just going okay), ask them if they'd like to go on a second date. You've got nothing to lose but your single life.