Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 1 · 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.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) a strong, fresh point (c) leaving early (d) repeating the opener
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) linking to daily life (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
4. 4.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) complain about it (c) define the key words (d) change the topic
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
11. 11.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) check your phone (c) close your eyes (d) note 2–3 key points
12. 12.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) shouting to be first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a quick real example
14. 14.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) repeating the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a joke off the topic (d) setting out the scope
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
25. 25.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) mumbling the start
27. 27.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) setting out the scope
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) a quick real example
29. 29.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a relevant fact (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
31. 31.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) a joke off the topic (d) repeating the topic
34. 34.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) reading from notes (c) repeating the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a short, clear question (d) a relevant fact
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students