Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 74 · 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.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) repeating the opener
2. 2.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a quick real example (c) a long story first (d) a relevant fact
5. 5.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) mumbling the start (d) a brief, sharp point
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a quick real example (d) setting out the scope
15. 15.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a quick real example (d) a wrong fact
17. 17.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
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) reading from notes (c) a joke off the topic (d) a relevant fact
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a short, clear question (c) a brief, sharp point (d) mumbling the start
20. 20.🚀 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
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a joke off the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) repeating the topic
24. 24.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) repeating the topic (d) a short, clear question
26. 26.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) linking to daily life (c) shouting to be first (d) a long story first
30. 30.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) close your eyes (c) memorise a speech (d) check your phone
31. 31.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) mumbling the start (c) a long story first (d) setting out the scope
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) mumbling the start (c) a wrong fact (d) a calm, clear voice
34. 34.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a joke off the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) shouting to be first
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a quick real example (c) linking to daily life (d) defining the key word
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a long story first (c) mumbling the start (d) reading from notes
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
40. 40.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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