Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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