Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 63 · 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 joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
3. 3.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
6. 6.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a wrong fact (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a wrong fact (d) reading from notes
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) change the topic (d) define the key words
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
19. 19.🚀 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
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) setting out the scope (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) setting out the scope
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
29. 29.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) starting with “sorry” (d) linking to daily life
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
33. 33.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) shouting to be first (c) repeating the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
35. 35.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
37. 37.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) defining the key word
39. 39.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) setting out the scope
40. 40.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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