Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 102 · 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: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) a short, clear question (d) repeating the topic
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
5. 5.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
8. 8.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) defining the key word (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) a short, clear question
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) reading from notes (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
12. 12.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) shouting to be first (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) linking to daily life (d) repeating the topic
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) setting out the scope (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a wrong fact (c) a quick real example (d) a calm, clear voice
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) reading from notes (d) repeating the topic
23. 23.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
26. 26.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a quick real example (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
34. 34.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
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 start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start

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