Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

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

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