Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 67 · 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: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
4. 4.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
14. 14.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
15. 15.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
16. 16.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
18. 18.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) reading from notes (c) linking to daily life (d) a short, clear question
20. 20.🚀 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
21. 21.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) shouting to be first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
28. 28.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) defining the key word
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) a calm, clear voice
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) mumbling the start (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a joke off the topic
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”

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