Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 105 · 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 brief, sharp point (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) a strong, fresh point (c) repeating the opener (d) shouting louder
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a quick real example (c) a brief, sharp point (d) repeating the topic
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a wrong fact
9. 9.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) close your eyes (c) memorise a speech (d) note 2–3 key points
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a quick real example (d) mumbling the start
11. 11.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) a brief, sharp point (d) linking to daily life
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🚀 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
21. 21.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a long story first (c) mumbling the start (d) repeating the topic
25. 25.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) change the topic (d) define the key words
26. 26.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a long story first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) linking to daily life
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
32. 32.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) linking to daily life (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a relevant fact
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
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.🚀 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
38. 38.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a relevant fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) reading from notes
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) linking to daily life (c) reading from notes (d) a calm, clear voice

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