Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 113 · 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) a short, clear question (b) a quick real example (c) a relevant fact (d) a wrong fact
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) a relevant fact (d) mumbling the start
3. 3.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
4. 4.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) shouting to be first (c) setting out the scope (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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a relevant fact (d) a wrong fact
9. 9.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) check your phone (c) close your eyes (d) note 2–3 key points
11. 11.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Our school throws away about 20 kg of food a day — let’s talk about why.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
14. 14.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a wrong fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) a long story first
18. 18.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
19. 19.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) change the topic (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
21. 21.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) shouting to be first
28. 28.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) reading from notes (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
34. 34.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”
37. 37.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) setting out the scope

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