Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 110 · 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 calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) linking to daily life
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) a relevant fact (d) starting with “sorry”
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a wrong fact (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
15. 15.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) close your eyes (c) note 2–3 key points (d) check your phone
17. 17.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) defining the key word (c) a joke off the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) linking to daily life (d) a long story first
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) shouting to be first
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) repeating the topic
31. 31.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a brief, sharp point (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) a quick real example (d) reading from notes
36. 36.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) shouting louder (c) repeating the opener (d) leaving early
37. 37.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) stay silent (d) define the key words
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) setting out the scope

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