Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 22 · 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.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) repeating the topic (c) a joke off the topic (d) mumbling the start
4. 4.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.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) mumbling the start
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) a short, clear question
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) reading from notes (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
20. 20.🚀 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
21. 21.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) memorise a speech (c) note 2–3 key points (d) close your eyes
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a short, clear question (d) a joke off the topic
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) a calm, clear voice
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a joke off the topic
32. 32.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) a joke off the topic
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🚀 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

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