Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 77 · 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) define the key words (b) stay silent (c) change the topic (d) complain about it
2. 2.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.🚀 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
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
14. 14.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) a quick real example (d) starting with “sorry”
15. 15.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a quick real example (c) mumbling the start (d) linking to daily life
18. 18.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) reading from notes (c) mumbling the start (d) repeating the topic
20. 20.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a brief, sharp point (d) shouting to be first
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a long story first
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) mumbling the start
24. 24.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a wrong fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a relevant fact
26. 26.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) shouting louder (c) repeating the opener (d) a strong, fresh point
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
29. 29.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a quick real example
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) linking to daily life
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) linking to daily life (d) shouting to be first
37. 37.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
39. 39.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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