Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 100 · 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? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
2. 2.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
4. 4.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) note 2–3 key points (c) check your phone (d) memorise a speech
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”
8. 8.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) shouting to be first (d) setting out the scope
12. 12.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) repeating the opener
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) defining the key word
14. 14.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) repeating the topic (d) shouting to be first
17. 17.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) reading from notes
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) reading from notes
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) shouting to be first
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) a long story first
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) linking to daily life
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) reading from notes (c) a short, clear question (d) setting out the scope
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a brief, sharp point
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
33. 33.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
37. 37.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) linking to daily life (d) shouting to be first

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