Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 122 · 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) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a quick real example
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) a long story first
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a long story first (c) mumbling the start (d) setting out the scope
4. 4.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) stay silent
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a short, clear question (c) a joke off the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) reading from notes (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a brief, sharp point
7. 7.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) shouting louder (c) repeating the opener (d) leaving early
9. 9.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) setting out the scope
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) a quick real example
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) shouting to be first
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a joke off the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) shouting to be first
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a quick real example (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a wrong fact
17. 17.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a wrong fact
25. 25.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) linking to daily life (c) a joke off the topic (d) a long story first
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a brief, sharp point
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) reading from notes (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
31. 31.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) a wrong fact
34. 34.🚀 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
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
36. 36.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
39. 39.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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