Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 81 · 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: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a wrong fact (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
5. 5.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
8. 8.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) a quick real example (d) a long story first
11. 11.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
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.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) reading from notes (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) repeating the topic (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a short, clear question
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) starting with “sorry”
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a quick real example (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
21. 21.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a calm, clear voice (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) repeating the topic
24. 24.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) mumbling the start
29. 29.🚀 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
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
31. 31.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
34. 34.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) a strong, fresh point (c) shouting louder (d) leaving early
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a quick real example (c) a joke off the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start

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