Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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