Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 52 · 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: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
5. 5.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) complain about it (c) stay silent (d) change the topic
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) mumbling the start (c) a quick real example (d) linking to daily life
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
19. 19.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) shouting to be first (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) repeating the topic (d) a quick real example
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a brief, sharp point (c) repeating the topic (d) defining the key word
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a quick real example
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
35. 35.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
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) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
38. 38.🚀 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
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) defining the key word (b) a brief, sharp point (c) mumbling the start (d) a relevant fact

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