Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 45 · 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) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) a short, clear question (d) starting with “sorry”
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) a brief, sharp point
3. 3.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) change the topic (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a relevant fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
14. 14.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a quick real example (c) a joke off the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a joke off the topic (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.🚀 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
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) defining the key word
23. 23.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) reading from notes (c) a quick real example (d) a long story first
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) mumbling the start
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) starting with “sorry”
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) memorise a speech (c) close your eyes (d) note 2–3 key points
29. 29.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”
31. 31.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
34. 34.🚀 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
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) shouting to be first (c) setting out the scope (d) a short, clear question
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a relevant fact (d) a quick real example
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) mumbling the start (c) a short, clear question (d) defining the key word

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