Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 16 · 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 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 relevant fact
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) reading from notes (c) a calm, clear voice (d) defining the key word
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) a wrong fact
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) mumbling the start
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) defining the key word (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
8. 8.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
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) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
11. 11.🚀 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
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a relevant fact (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) repeating the topic (d) shouting to be first
15. 15.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) a long story first (d) a relevant fact
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) reading from notes
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) mumbling the start
19. 19.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) reading from notes (c) a long story first (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🚀 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) a short, clear question
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
34. 34.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) a joke off the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
35. 35.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) a calm, clear voice
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a quick real example (d) linking to daily life
40. 40.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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