Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 64 · 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.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) defining the key word (c) reading from notes (d) a relevant fact
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) setting out the scope
6. 6.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a joke off the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) linking to daily life
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) a relevant fact (d) starting with “sorry”
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a brief, sharp point (d) shouting to be first
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a wrong fact (d) defining the key word
19. 19.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) complain about it
20. 20.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.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 brief, sharp point
22. 22.🚀 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
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) a long story first
27. 27.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) memorise a speech (c) note 2–3 key points (d) close your eyes
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) defining the key word
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a relevant fact (c) repeating the topic (d) defining the key word
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) defining the key word (c) linking to daily life (d) a calm, clear voice
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a calm, clear voice (c) shouting to be first (d) a long story first
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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