Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 17 · 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 strong way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
3. 3.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) stay silent (d) define the key words
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
8. 8.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) setting out the scope
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) shouting to be first (d) a brief, sharp point
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a wrong fact
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
15. 15.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) setting out the scope
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.🚀 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
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) linking to daily life
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) shouting to be first (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) reading from notes (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start
24. 24.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a long story first
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) reading from notes
27. 27.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) note 2–3 key points (c) check your phone (d) close your eyes
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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