Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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