Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 88 · 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) a relevant fact (b) linking to daily life (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
2. 2.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🚀 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
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a relevant fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) starting with “sorry”
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
7. 7.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) a calm, clear voice
9. 9.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
10. 10.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 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
13. 13.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) repeating the opener
14. 14.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) defining the key word
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a brief, sharp point (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
22. 22.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) check your phone (c) close your eyes (d) memorise a speech
25. 25.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
27. 27.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a long story first (c) setting out the scope (d) linking to daily life
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) setting out the scope (c) a brief, sharp point (d) linking to daily life
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a long story first (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a joke off the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
34. 34.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) a relevant fact (d) a brief, sharp point
36. 36.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) reading from notes

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