Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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