Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 41 · 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.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) reading from notes
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
5. 5.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a quick real example
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a quick real example (c) setting out the scope (d) linking to daily life
8. 8.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) setting out the scope (c) defining the key word (d) a joke off the topic
11. 11.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) mumbling the start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.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) a calm, clear voice
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) linking to daily life
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) setting out the scope (c) shouting to be first (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) a quick real example
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
26. 26.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) close your eyes (c) note 2–3 key points (d) check your phone
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a relevant fact (d) a quick real example
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) mumbling the start
34. 34.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes
37. 37.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) define the key words (d) change the topic

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