Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 96 · 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.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
2. 2.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a calm, clear voice (c) reading from notes (d) a wrong fact
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) mumbling the start (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
4. 4.🚀 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
5. 5.🚀 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
6. 6.🚀 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
7. 7.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) always, at any cost (c) only if well prepared
8. 8.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Everyone, be quiet and listen to me!” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
9. 9.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.🚀 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
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) a brief, sharp point
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a long story first (c) a short, clear question (d) a wrong fact
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) defining the key word (c) setting out the scope (d) reading from notes
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) linking to daily life (c) a calm, clear voice (d) reading from notes
15. 15.🚀 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
17. 17.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a relevant fact (b) shouting to be first (c) a calm, clear voice (d) linking to daily life
18. 18.🚀 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
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
20. 20.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a quick real example (c) a short, clear question (d) a long story first
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a quick real example? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
22. 22.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a brief, sharp point (c) repeating the topic (d) a relevant fact
23. 23.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a wrong fact (c) mumbling the start (d) reading from notes
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
26. 26.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
28. 28.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a wrong fact (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
34. 34.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) reading from notes (c) starting with “sorry” (d) mumbling the start
36. 36.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) setting out the scope (c) mumbling the start (d) a brief, sharp point
37. 37.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) stay silent (b) complain about it (c) change the topic (d) define the key words
38. 38.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) a long story first (c) defining the key word (d) a wrong fact

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