Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 103 · 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 calm, clear voice (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) a wrong fact (d) shouting to be first
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) setting out the scope (d) a joke off the topic
8. 8.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) setting out the scope (d) a relevant fact
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) mumbling the start (d) a brief, sharp point
11. 11.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
17. 17.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) defining the key word
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🚀 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
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) defining the key word
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) repeating the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) setting out the scope
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a short, clear question (d) starting with “sorry”
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a wrong fact
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
31. 31.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
32. 32.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) setting out the scope (c) a joke off the topic (d) a wrong fact
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) shouting to be first
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a brief, sharp point (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) mumbling the start (c) a wrong fact (d) reading from notes
37. 37.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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