Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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