Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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