Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 51 · 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 brief, sharp point (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) starting with “sorry”
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a relevant fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) mumbling the start
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) linking to daily life
6. 6.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) setting out the scope (d) mumbling the start
10. 10.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a long story first (c) setting out the scope (d) linking to daily life
12. 12.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.🔍 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
14. 14.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a relevant fact (c) defining the key word (d) a wrong fact
17. 17.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) reading from notes
19. 19.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) reading from notes (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) a strong, fresh point (c) leaving early (d) shouting louder
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
27. 27.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) define the key words (c) change the topic (d) complain about it
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) reading from notes
29. 29.🚀 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
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) starting with “sorry” (d) repeating the topic
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a quick real example
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) note 2–3 key points (c) memorise a speech (d) check your phone
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (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 weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) mumbling the start
39. 39.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) defining the key word

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