Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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