Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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