Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 46 · 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: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (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) True (b) False
4. 4.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
7. 7.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a brief, sharp point
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) mumbling the start (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a joke off the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) shouting to be first (d) repeating the topic
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) repeating the topic
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) defining the key word
25. 25.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a long story first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) linking to daily life
28. 28.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) defining the key word
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
32. 32.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) defining the key word
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a joke off the topic
36. 36.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) repeating the topic (d) a brief, sharp point

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