Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 118 · 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) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) defining the key word (d) shouting to be first
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) shouting louder (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a joke off the topic (d) repeating the topic
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) defining the key word (d) mumbling the start
6. 6.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) a relevant fact
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) defining the key word (d) a joke off the topic
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
12. 12.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
15. 15.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
17. 17.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) a calm, clear voice
20. 20.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) close your eyes (c) note 2–3 key points (d) memorise a speech
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a long story first (c) shouting to be first (d) a relevant fact
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
28. 28.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
32. 32.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) setting out the scope (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a short, clear question
33. 33.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) a calm, clear voice (d) defining the key word
35. 35.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) mumbling the start (d) defining the key word
37. 37.🚀 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
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) defining the key word (c) a quick real example (d) a short, clear question
39. 39.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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