Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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