Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 90 · 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 joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) leaving early (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
4. 4.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) defining the key word (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
6. 6.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) reading from notes
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.🚀 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
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) a quick real example
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
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) always, at any cost (b) only if well prepared (c) never speak first
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) reading from notes (c) setting out the scope (d) a wrong fact
20. 20.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) reading from notes
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) a calm, clear voice (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
28. 28.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) repeating the topic (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
29. 29.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) close your eyes (d) memorise a speech
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.True or false: “reading from notes” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) shouting to be first
34. 34.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) stay silent (d) complain about it
35. 35.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🚀 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
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a quick real example (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start

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