Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 53 · 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) linking to daily life (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) memorise a speech (c) close your eyes (d) check your phone
5. 5.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
6. 6.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a relevant fact (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
9. 9.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a brief, sharp point (c) setting out the scope (d) linking to daily life
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) mumbling the start
18. 18.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a relevant fact
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) shouting to be first
33. 33.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
38. 38.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) shouting to be first (d) a calm, clear voice
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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