Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 29 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Open the door for everyone): Strong start: define the key word, a relevant fact, a short clear question, a quick real example, the scope of the topic. Weak start: a long story, a wrong fact, shouting to be first, repeating the topic, a joke off the topic, “sorry”. Use the thinking time to note 2–3 key points; start only if you are ready.

1. 1.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) a relevant fact
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) repeating the topic (c) a quick real example (d) setting out the scope
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Our school throws away about 20 kg of food a day — let’s talk about why.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) a wrong fact
6. 6.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) mumbling the start (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) a joke off the topic (d) repeating the topic
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a quick real example
14. 14.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a quick real example
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) setting out the scope
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a short, clear question (c) linking to daily life (d) shouting to be first
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a quick real example
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) mumbling the start (c) reading from notes (d) a joke off the topic
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) linking to daily life (d) a short, clear question
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a quick real example (c) a joke off the topic (d) shouting to be first
33. 33.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) setting out the scope (c) a joke off the topic (d) reading from notes
35. 35.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) define the key words (d) change the topic
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “In our class survey, 30 of us said we use screens daily — so this topic matters.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
40. 40.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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