Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 6 · 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.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) a wrong fact
6. 6.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a quick real example
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) a short, clear question (d) a relevant fact
9. 9.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) stay silent (d) define the key words
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) defining the key word (c) a joke off the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) setting out the scope (c) linking to daily life (d) a brief, sharp point
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) mumbling the start (c) defining the key word (d) a quick real example
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 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
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) setting out the scope
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
25. 25.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) a short, clear question (d) defining the key word
26. 26.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
29. 29.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
30. 30.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) setting out the scope (c) a quick real example (d) a short, clear question
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
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 start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a relevant fact (c) a quick real example (d) reading from notes
38. 38.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) starting with “sorry”
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) a wrong fact

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