Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 91 · 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.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defining the key word (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a calm, clear voice (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
4. 4.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) check your phone (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
7. 7.🚀 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
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) setting out the scope (c) repeating the topic (d) a joke off the topic
12. 12.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) starting with “sorry” (c) shouting to be first (d) a joke off the topic
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) reading from notes (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a relevant fact (d) linking to daily life
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) a relevant fact
17. 17.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) a brief, sharp point (d) repeating the topic
20. 20.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) a strong, fresh point (b) repeating the opener (c) leaving early (d) shouting louder
21. 21.🚀 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
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.🚀 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
26. 26.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) setting out the scope (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a quick real example (d) reading from notes
29. 29.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) change the topic (c) define the key words (d) stay silent
32. 32.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a short, clear question (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a quick real example (d) shouting to be first
33. 33.🚀 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
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) reading from notes (b) a joke off the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a wrong fact
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.True or false: “a long story first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a wrong fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) reading from notes
39. 39.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) mumbling the start (d) reading from notes
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) linking to daily life (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”

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