Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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