Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 119 · 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.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) shouting to be first
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) a quick real example (d) mumbling the start
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) linking to daily life (d) a calm, clear voice
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a relevant fact (c) setting out the scope (d) shouting to be first
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a relevant fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a wrong fact
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) starting with “sorry”
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a quick real example (d) defining the key word
13. 13.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) complain about it (c) change the topic (d) stay silent
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a quick real example (d) a relevant fact
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) shouting to be first (d) a quick real example
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.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 quick real example
20. 20.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) shouting to be first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
25. 25.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a relevant fact (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
39. 39.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a long story first (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students