Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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