Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 21 · 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
2. 2.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
4. 4.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a short, clear question (c) a long story first (d) a quick real example
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) starting with “sorry”
10. 10.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) reading from notes (c) a calm, clear voice (d) shouting to be first
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a relevant fact (c) a quick real example (d) mumbling the start
19. 19.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) repeating the topic
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
28. 28.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
30. 30.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a relevant fact
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a relevant fact
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a quick real example (c) a wrong fact (d) a long story first
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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