Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 72 · 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: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a brief, sharp point
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) reading from notes
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
10. 10.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) reading from notes (c) linking to daily life (d) repeating the topic
12. 12.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) note 2–3 key points
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a calm, clear voice (c) shouting to be first (d) repeating the topic
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) setting out the scope (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a joke off the topic
16. 16.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a wrong fact (d) linking to daily life
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.🚀 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
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a long story first (d) repeating the topic
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) a calm, clear voice
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a quick real example (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
25. 25.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a short, clear question
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) a short, clear question
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) repeating the topic
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) a relevant fact
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a relevant fact (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
38. 38.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) shouting to be first (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
39. 39.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) complain about it (c) stay silent (d) change the topic
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) mumbling the start

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