Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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