Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 10 · 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.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) a short, clear question (d) a calm, clear voice
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a long story first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) mumbling the start
3. 3.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a wrong fact (c) repeating the topic (d) a long story first
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
7. 7.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) starting with “sorry”
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
9. 9.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
14. 14.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) complain about it
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) mumbling the start
21. 21.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
22. 22.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) reading from notes (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
24. 24.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) a quick real example
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) a quick real example
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) defining the key word (d) a brief, sharp point
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a short, clear question
38. 38.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🚀 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

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