Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 49 · 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 weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a wrong fact (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question
5. 5.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a quick real example (d) mumbling the start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.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 wrong fact
15. 15.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
18. 18.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a joke off the topic (c) repeating the topic (d) defining the key word
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) reading from notes (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.🚀 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
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) setting out the scope (c) shouting to be first (d) linking to daily life
36. 36.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) memorise a speech (c) check your phone (d) note 2–3 key points
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”
38. 38.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line

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