Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 73 · 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 calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a joke off the topic (d) linking to daily life
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a quick real example
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) a wrong fact
7. 7.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) leaving early (d) a strong, fresh point
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
9. 9.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a quick real example (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
13. 13.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
15. 15.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) shouting to be first (d) linking to daily life
17. 17.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
18. 18.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) mumbling the start (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a long story first (d) a relevant fact
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) mumbling the start (c) linking to daily life (d) a calm, clear voice
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) repeating the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) a brief, sharp point
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a joke off the topic
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) repeating the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
33. 33.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) linking to daily life
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) reading from notes (c) a long story first (d) defining the key word
36. 36.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
38. 38.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) shouting to be first (c) defining the key word (d) a quick real example
39. 39.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🚀 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

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