Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 106 · 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 relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a relevant fact (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a quick real example
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) note 2–3 key points
14. 14.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) mumbling the start
17. 17.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) shouting to be first (d) a joke off the topic
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
20. 20.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) shouting to be first (d) defining the key word
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a relevant fact (c) linking to daily life (d) repeating the topic
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) linking to daily life (c) mumbling the start (d) repeating the topic
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) shouting to be first (d) setting out the scope
34. 34.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) change the topic (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
38. 38.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) a wrong fact (d) setting out the scope

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