Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 76 · 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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) reading from notes (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
2. 2.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) mumbling the start
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a short, clear question
11. 11.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) linking to daily life (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
16. 16.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a quick real example (c) shouting to be first (d) defining the key word
20. 20.🚀 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
21. 21.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a joke off the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
24. 24.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) memorise a speech (c) check your phone (d) note 2–3 key points
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a long story first (d) shouting to be first
26. 26.🚀 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
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) linking to daily life (c) reading from notes (d) a brief, sharp point
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) define the key words (d) complain about it
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) a wrong fact
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) setting out the scope
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) linking to daily life (d) a calm, clear voice
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a quick real example
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a relevant fact
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a short, clear question (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) linking to daily life

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