Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 44 · 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: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) starting with “sorry” (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) mumbling the start (c) linking to daily life (d) repeating the topic
8. 8.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
9. 9.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) note 2–3 key points (c) check your phone (d) memorise a speech
10. 10.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a wrong fact (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) setting out the scope (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) repeating the topic
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) reading from notes
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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a short, clear question (c) defining the key word (d) a long story first
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a quick real example (c) a brief, sharp point (d) starting with “sorry”
30. 30.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) repeating the topic
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a wrong fact
35. 35.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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