Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 123 · 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 joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) shouting to be first (d) starting with “sorry”
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a wrong fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
6. 6.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) mumbling the start (d) defining the key word
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) setting out the scope (c) repeating the topic (d) mumbling the start
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) defining the key word
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
13. 13.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a long story first (d) a quick real example
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) mumbling the start (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
19. 19.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) linking to daily life (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes
21. 21.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a quick real example (c) reading from notes (d) a joke off the topic
25. 25.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) complain about it (c) define the key words (d) stay silent
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a relevant fact
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) shouting to be first (d) mumbling the start
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) reading from notes (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a quick real example (c) setting out the scope (d) a relevant fact
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start

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