Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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