Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 75 · 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.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) define the key words (d) change the topic
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) reading from notes
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) shouting louder (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
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 brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) a brief, sharp point
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) starting with “sorry”
18. 18.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) close your eyes (c) note 2–3 key points (d) memorise a speech
20. 20.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) a joke off the topic (d) linking to daily life
27. 27.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
28. 28.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) a joke off the topic
30. 30.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) shouting to be first (d) linking to daily life
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a short, clear question
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) shouting to be first (d) repeating the topic
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) mumbling the start
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) linking to daily life (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
38. 38.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a wrong fact (d) shouting to be first
40. 40.🚀 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

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