Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 60 · 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 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
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a short, clear question (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes
6. 6.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) reading from notes
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) mumbling the start
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a calm, clear voice (c) setting out the scope (d) starting with “sorry”
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
13. 13.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
15. 15.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) setting out the scope
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) reading from notes (c) linking to daily life (d) a joke off the topic
17. 17.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 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
19. 19.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) complain about it (c) define the key words (d) stay silent
20. 20.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) check your phone (c) close your eyes (d) note 2–3 key points
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a long story first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
22. 22.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a joke off the topic
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 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
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.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) starting with “sorry”
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a calm, clear voice (c) linking to daily life (d) mumbling the start
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) setting out the scope (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
39. 39.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students