Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 95 · 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.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) shouting louder (b) repeating the opener (c) a strong, fresh point (d) leaving early
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) repeating the topic (c) starting with “sorry” (d) a calm, clear voice
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a wrong fact (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
5. 5.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a wrong fact (b) repeating the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a quick real example
6. 6.True or false: “defining the key word” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
8. 8.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) change the topic (b) define the key words (c) complain about it (d) stay silent
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a brief, sharp point? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
11. 11.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a wrong fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) reading from notes
12. 12.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: setting out the scope? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
14. 14.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) a relevant fact (c) setting out the scope (d) defining the key word
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) setting out the scope (c) reading from notes (d) a calm, clear voice
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a calm, clear voice? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
20. 20.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
23. 23.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a long story first (c) linking to daily life (d) a relevant fact
24. 24.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a strong start (b) a weak 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 opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
27. 27.🚀 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
28. 28.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a short, clear question (c) a calm, clear voice (d) shouting to be first
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a short, clear question (c) shouting to be first (d) a relevant fact
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.True or false: “linking to daily life” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) a relevant fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) starting with “sorry”
36. 36.🚀 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
37. 37.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
38. 38.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a calm, clear voice (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) repeating the topic (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question

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