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Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 112 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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.

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

Answer key

  1. a strong start
  2. shouting to be first
  3. a strong start
  4. repeating the topic
  5. a strong opening line
  6. note 2–3 key points
  7. a strong start
  8. a strong start
  9. linking to daily life
  10. define the key words
  11. a strong start
  12. shouting to be first
  13. True
  14. a weak opening line
  15. reading from notes
  16. a strong opening line
  17. a strong opening line
  18. a short, clear question
  19. mumbling the start
  20. a weak start
  21. False
  22. reading from notes
  23. a weak start
  24. a strong opening line
  25. a strong, fresh point
  26. defining the key word
  27. a quick real example
  28. False
  29. a long story first
  30. defining the key word
  31. False
  32. a joke off the topic
  33. a short, clear question
  34. True
  35. a weak start
  36. a strong start
  37. a joke off the topic
  38. a weak start
  39. a weak opening line
  40. only if well prepared

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