Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 93 · 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) only if well prepared (b) never speak first (c) always, at any cost
2. 2.🚀 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
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) setting out the scope (c) shouting to be first (d) mumbling the start
4. 4.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) change the topic
5. 5.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) memorise a speech (c) close your eyes (d) check your phone
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a short, clear question (c) reading from notes (d) shouting to be first
8. 8.🚀 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
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a quick real example (d) defining the key word
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
11. 11.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) reading from notes (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
18. 18.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
22. 22.🚀 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
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) mumbling the start (c) a long story first (d) a calm, clear voice
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
25. 25.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a brief, sharp point
28. 28.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) defining the key word (d) a short, clear question
31. 31.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a wrong fact (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
33. 33.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a short, clear question (c) repeating the topic (d) linking to daily life
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a joke off the topic (c) a long story first (d) linking to daily life
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.🚀 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
38. 38.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope

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