Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students