Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 120 · 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) defining the key word (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a short, clear question (d) a joke off the topic
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a quick real example (d) repeating the topic
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) linking to daily life (d) a wrong fact
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a relevant fact
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
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) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) reading from notes
8. 8.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) close your eyes (c) check your phone (d) note 2–3 key points
9. 9.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) repeating the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a brief, sharp point
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) setting out the scope
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a joke off the topic (d) mumbling the start
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
20. 20.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) a relevant fact
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
27. 27.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 relevant fact
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) starting with “sorry” (d) linking to daily life
30. 30.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a quick real example (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a joke off the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
35. 35.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) reading from notes
39. 39.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) setting out the scope (d) a wrong fact

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