Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 83 · 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.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) shouting to be first (c) linking to daily life (d) starting with “sorry”
3. 3.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) close your eyes (c) memorise a speech (d) note 2–3 key points
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) shouting to be first (d) starting with “sorry”
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
7. 7.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) a quick real example (d) a wrong fact
11. 11.🚀 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
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”
16. 16.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a wrong fact
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a quick real example (d) setting out the scope
18. 18.🚀 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
19. 19.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) stay silent
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
27. 27.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) setting out the scope (d) repeating the topic
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a calm, clear voice
31. 31.🚀 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
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) a long story first (d) reading from notes
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) setting out the scope (c) a calm, clear voice (d) reading from notes
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) mumbling the start (c) defining the key word (d) setting out the scope
38. 38.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) mumbling the start (c) linking to daily life (d) defining the key word
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) shouting to be first (d) reading from notes

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