Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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