Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 84 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) shouting to be first
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a calm, clear voice (c) repeating the topic (d) a quick real example
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) a long story first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) setting out the scope
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
9. 9.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a relevant fact (c) a short, clear question (d) mumbling the start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) a long story first
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) reading from notes (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
20. 20.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
23. 23.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) repeating the topic
27. 27.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a wrong fact (c) a quick real example (d) setting out the scope
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) mumbling the start (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) shouting to be first (c) a quick real example (d) a short, clear question
30. 30.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
31. 31.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) linking to daily life (c) a long story first (d) shouting to be first
32. 32.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) leaving early (c) repeating the opener (d) shouting louder
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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) reading from notes (c) defining the key word (d) linking to daily life
37. 37.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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