Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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