Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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