Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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