Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 71 · 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.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) a quick real example
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) a short, clear question (d) a relevant fact
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) repeating the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a brief, sharp point
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a long story first (d) repeating the topic
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) mumbling the start (c) a quick real example (d) a brief, sharp point
13. 13.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a quick real example (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
20. 20.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) close your eyes (c) memorise a speech (d) note 2–3 key points
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🚀 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
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) a joke off the topic
36. 36.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) setting out the scope (c) reading from notes (d) linking to daily life
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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