Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 58 · 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.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a joke off the topic
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
9. 9.🚀 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
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question
11. 11.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a calm, clear voice (c) repeating the topic (d) a short, clear question
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a quick real example
14. 14.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) check your phone (c) note 2–3 key points (d) memorise a speech
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a joke off the topic (c) reading from notes (d) linking to daily life
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
21. 21.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) setting out the scope (d) a relevant fact
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) repeating the topic (c) a short, clear question (d) a brief, sharp point
27. 27.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) setting out the scope (c) defining the key word (d) a brief, sharp point
32. 32.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
36. 36.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 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
38. 38.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a wrong fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start

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