Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 116 · 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 calm, clear voice (b) a long story first (c) setting out the scope (d) a quick real example
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a wrong fact (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
3. 3.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) check your phone (c) note 2–3 key points (d) close your eyes
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) repeating the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a long story first (d) starting with “sorry”
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) mumbling the start
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) shouting to be first
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a quick real example (d) repeating the topic
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) mumbling the start (c) shouting to be first (d) a joke off the topic
25. 25.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) starting with “sorry”
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) a joke off the topic (d) setting out the scope
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a long story first
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) setting out the scope (c) reading from notes (d) a calm, clear voice
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) defining the key word (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a relevant fact
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a quick real example (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a short, clear question
40. 40.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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