Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 104 · 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 start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) repeating the topic
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) a relevant fact
7. 7.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) shouting to be first (d) a long story first
10. 10.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) a relevant fact
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a long story first (c) repeating the topic (d) a joke off the topic
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a short, clear question (c) a joke off the topic (d) repeating the topic
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) repeating the topic
19. 19.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a relevant fact (c) a quick real example (d) repeating the topic
20. 20.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) repeating the topic (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) mumbling the start (c) defining the key word (d) a short, clear question
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) close your eyes (c) check your phone (d) memorise a speech
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) defining the key word (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a wrong fact (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
40. 40.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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