Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 59 · 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 brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
3. 3.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
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.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) shouting to be first (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
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.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) memorise a speech (c) close your eyes (d) note 2–3 key points
18. 18.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) linking to daily life (c) reading from notes (d) a joke off the topic
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) repeating the opener
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a brief, sharp point (d) mumbling the start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) shouting to be first
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
34. 34.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a relevant fact (c) a wrong fact (d) a brief, sharp point
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) mumbling the start (c) a short, clear question (d) linking to daily life
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) mumbling the start (d) shouting to be first
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
40. 40.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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