Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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