Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 89 · 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) setting out the scope (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) a quick real example
2. 2.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) stay silent (c) complain about it (d) define the key words
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a wrong fact (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) defining the key word (c) a short, clear question (d) shouting to be first
9. 9.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
10. 10.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
14. 14.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) shouting louder (c) leaving early (d) repeating the opener
16. 16.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) shouting to be first
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.True or false: “a quick real example” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) starting with “sorry”
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) repeating the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) a calm, clear voice
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
28. 28.True or false: “reading from notes” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a joke off the topic (c) reading from notes (d) defining the key word
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) linking to daily life (d) a quick real example
32. 32.🚀 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
33. 33.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) close your eyes (b) check your phone (c) note 2–3 key points (d) memorise a speech
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) reading from notes (d) a relevant fact
36. 36.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start

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