Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 62 · 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.🚀 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
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a joke off the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a long story first (c) a wrong fact (d) a short, clear question
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) shouting to be first (d) a long story first
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
11. 11.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) a strong, fresh point (c) leaving early (d) shouting louder
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a long story first (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) mumbling the start (c) reading from notes (d) a brief, sharp point
21. 21.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) a short, clear question
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) a relevant fact (d) a wrong fact
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) setting out the scope
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a long story first (c) a relevant fact (d) a short, clear question
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) mumbling the start (c) defining the key word (d) a brief, sharp point
32. 32.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
33. 33.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) reading from notes (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) starting with “sorry”
36. 36.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🚀 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
38. 38.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a joke off the topic

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