Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 108 · 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 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
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) defining the key word (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🚀 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
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) mumbling the start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a brief, sharp point
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a long story first
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) reading from notes
17. 17.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) memorise a speech (c) check your phone (d) close your eyes
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) setting out the scope
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) a relevant fact (d) defining the key word
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
26. 26.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) repeating the topic
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) a relevant fact (d) a short, clear question
29. 29.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) a quick real example (d) a calm, clear voice
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) reading from notes (d) a relevant fact
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) a calm, clear voice
38. 38.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🚀 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) reading from notes (c) a short, clear question (d) defining the key word

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