Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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