Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 50 · 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: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
4. 4.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
7. 7.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
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.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) shouting to be first
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) a short, clear question
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) linking to daily life (d) a wrong fact
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: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) reading from notes
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) starting with “sorry” (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
22. 22.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a short, clear question
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) starting with “sorry” (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) defining the key word (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) mumbling the start (c) a relevant fact (d) a brief, sharp point
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a relevant fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) setting out the scope
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) reading from notes (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
34. 34.🚀 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
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) reading from notes
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 of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word

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