Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 54 · 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 joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a long story first
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) repeating the topic (c) a joke off the topic (d) reading from notes
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
8. 8.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a short, clear question (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a calm, clear voice (d) reading from notes
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) linking to daily life (c) reading from notes (d) repeating the topic
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) complain about it
14. 14.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a short, clear question (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a quick real example
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) repeating the topic
29. 29.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) a short, clear question
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
32. 32.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
35. 35.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) repeating the topic (c) a joke off the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
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.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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