Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 92 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) reading from notes
2. 2.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) mumbling the start (c) reading from notes (d) a long story first
4. 4.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) define the key words (b) complain about it (c) change the topic (d) stay silent
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
6. 6.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) starting with “sorry” (d) setting out the scope
8. 8.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
9. 9.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) memorise a speech (b) close your eyes (c) check your phone (d) note 2–3 key points
10. 10.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) setting out the scope (c) a short, clear question (d) mumbling the start
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🚀 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
14. 14.🚀 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
15. 15.🚀 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
16. 16.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a relevant fact (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) a relevant fact
19. 19.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a long story first
21. 21.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) a strong, fresh point (d) shouting louder
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
25. 25.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) starting with “sorry” (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
28. 28.🚀 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
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) repeating the topic (d) setting out the scope
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a wrong fact
31. 31.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a wrong fact (c) a short, clear question (d) reading from notes
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a quick real example (d) a joke off the topic
33. 33.🚀 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 strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
34. 34.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a long story first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) setting out the scope
35. 35.🚀 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
36. 36.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) defining the key word (c) a long story first (d) a wrong fact
38. 38.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True

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