Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 109 · 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) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a long story first
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) defining the key word
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) repeating the opener (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
5. 5.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
7. 7.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) repeating the topic
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) a wrong fact
12. 12.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) complain about it
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a joke off the topic (d) a quick real example
14. 14.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) a long story first
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) reading from notes (d) a calm, clear voice
18. 18.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a short, clear question (d) a wrong fact
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) setting out the scope (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a wrong fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) shouting to be first
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) shouting to be first (c) a relevant fact (d) a quick real example
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) a calm, clear voice
28. 28.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
33. 33.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🚀 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
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) a short, clear question
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a calm, clear voice (d) defining the key word
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students