Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 79 · 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 long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) shouting to be first (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
3. 3.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
10. 10.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) mumbling the start (d) a wrong fact
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a quick real example (d) a calm, clear voice
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
16. 16.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) repeating the opener (c) shouting louder (d) leaving early
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a wrong fact (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a relevant fact (c) linking to daily life (d) defining the key word
22. 22.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) never speak first (c) only if well prepared
23. 23.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
26. 26.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) a long story first
27. 27.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a brief, sharp point
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) linking to daily life
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) linking to daily life (d) a short, clear question
38. 38.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) a wrong fact (d) reading from notes

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