Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 115 · 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.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a long story first (c) linking to daily life (d) defining the key word
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) shouting to be first
5. 5.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) shouting louder (c) repeating the opener (d) a strong, fresh point
6. 6.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a long story first (c) a wrong fact (d) shouting to be first
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) a wrong fact (d) repeating the topic
13. 13.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) note 2–3 key points (c) check your phone (d) close your eyes
14. 14.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) defining the key word (d) a quick real example
18. 18.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) shouting to be first (d) defining the key word
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
23. 23.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a brief, sharp point
26. 26.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) mumbling the start (c) linking to daily life (d) a short, clear question
27. 27.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a quick real example (c) shouting to be first (d) mumbling the start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) shouting to be first
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a wrong fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) setting out the scope
37. 37.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
39. 39.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) repeating the topic
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope

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