Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 18 · 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) shouting to be first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) setting out the scope (d) a short, clear question
2. 2.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) repeating the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) a relevant fact (d) reading from notes
5. 5.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) defining the key word
10. 10.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) change the topic (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
12. 12.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a long story first (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) reading from notes (d) a brief, sharp point
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) close your eyes (c) check your phone (d) memorise a speech
25. 25.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) a relevant fact
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a quick real example
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) setting out the scope (d) a relevant fact

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