Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 56 · 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 long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
2. 2.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) close your eyes (d) memorise a speech
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) mumbling the start (c) a long story first (d) setting out the scope
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) linking to daily life (c) a joke off the topic (d) setting out the scope
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) repeating the topic
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
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) reading from notes (c) shouting to be first (d) defining the key word
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
21. 21.🚀 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
22. 22.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) define the key words (c) change the topic (d) stay silent
25. 25.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a short, clear question (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
39. 39.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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