Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 101 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a wrong fact (c) reading from notes (d) a joke off the topic
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) a joke off the topic
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) defining the key word (c) a joke off the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) a relevant fact
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a short, clear question
7. 7.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
9. 9.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) mumbling the start
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
14. 14.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a wrong fact (d) a brief, sharp point
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) setting out the scope (c) repeating the topic (d) reading from notes
17. 17.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) repeating the topic (c) a joke off the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
19. 19.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) close your eyes (d) memorise a speech
27. 27.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) stay silent (d) complain about it
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) a long story first
32. 32.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) defining the key word (d) a quick real example
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) setting out the scope (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first

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