Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 32 · 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 long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a joke off the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a brief, sharp point
8. 8.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a relevant fact (c) a short, clear question (d) a calm, clear voice
9. 9.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) note 2–3 key points (c) check your phone (d) close your eyes
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) a short, clear question
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) a short, clear question
13. 13.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
14. 14.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) mumbling the start
17. 17.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
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.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
29. 29.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) mumbling the start (c) starting with “sorry” (d) reading from notes
30. 30.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a long story first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a joke off the topic
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a long story first (d) a calm, clear voice
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a relevant fact (c) a short, clear question (d) a wrong fact
33. 33.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a quick real example (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
36. 36.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) a wrong fact
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) starting with “sorry” (c) mumbling the start (d) reading from notes
38. 38.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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