Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 121 · 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) False (b) True
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) reading from notes
3. 3.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question
4. 4.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start
6. 6.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) a strong, fresh point (c) leaving early (d) repeating the opener
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
10. 10.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a joke off the topic (c) reading from notes (d) a short, clear question
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a wrong fact (d) a quick real example
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
15. 15.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a short, clear question (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) defining the key word (d) repeating the topic
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) repeating the topic
23. 23.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a calm, clear voice (d) defining the key word
28. 28.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) mumbling the start
36. 36.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) reading from notes

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