Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 107 · 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.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) complain about it (c) change the topic (d) stay silent
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) a quick real example
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) shouting to be first
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) close your eyes (c) check your phone (d) note 2–3 key points
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a relevant fact (c) shouting to be first (d) a wrong fact
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a joke off the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) repeating the opener (d) a strong, fresh point
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) a calm, clear voice (d) reading from notes
21. 21.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a brief, sharp point (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) setting out the scope (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) mumbling the start (d) setting out the scope
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 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
27. 27.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) defining the key word (d) reading from notes
30. 30.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a joke off the topic
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) starting with “sorry” (d) linking to daily life
40. 40.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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