Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 19 · 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 start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) shouting to be first (c) a quick real example (d) mumbling the start
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) repeating the topic (d) a long story first
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) setting out the scope (c) a joke off the topic (d) shouting to be first
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
18. 18.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) check your phone (c) note 2–3 key points (d) memorise a speech
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.🚀 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
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) a short, clear question (d) a quick real example
23. 23.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
27. 27.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) setting out the scope (d) mumbling the start
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) reading from notes (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
32. 32.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) defining the key word (c) mumbling the start (d) a relevant fact
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
39. 39.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) setting out the scope

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