Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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