Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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