Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 97 · 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: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
3. 3.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) linking to daily life (c) a brief, sharp point (d) starting with “sorry”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
5. 5.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) a quick real example (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) linking to daily life (b) a relevant fact (c) a long story first (d) a brief, sharp point
7. 7.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) note 2–3 key points (c) memorise a speech (d) close your eyes
8. 8.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) mumbling the start (d) defining the key word
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a relevant fact (b) a brief, sharp point (c) defining the key word (d) starting with “sorry”
10. 10.True or false: “mumbling the start” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
13. 13.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) linking to daily life (c) a relevant fact (d) shouting to be first
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a quick real example (c) a joke off the topic (d) repeating the topic
15. 15.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 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
17. 17.🚀 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
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) a brief, sharp point
19. 19.🚀 If the topic is unclear, a good opener can… (a) complain about it (b) stay silent (c) change the topic (d) define the key words
20. 20.🚀 You are not the first speaker. What else earns credit? (a) repeating the opener (b) leaving early (c) shouting louder (d) a strong, fresh point
21. 21.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: mumbling the start? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a short, clear question (b) a joke off the topic (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a quick real example
23. 23.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a joke off the topic (d) a wrong fact
24. 24.True or false: “a relevant fact” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) repeating the topic (c) a wrong fact (d) starting with “sorry”
26. 26.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) repeating the topic (c) shouting to be first (d) a short, clear question
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a wrong fact (b) setting out the scope (c) a long story first (d) a joke off the topic
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) repeating the topic (c) defining the key word (d) a long story first
30. 30.🚀 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
31. 31.🚀 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
32. 32.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a relevant fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
34. 34.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) a wrong fact
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) defining the key word (b) a wrong fact (c) a calm, clear voice (d) setting out the scope
38. 38.🚀 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
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) starting with “sorry” (b) reading from notes (c) repeating the topic (d) a brief, sharp point
40. 40.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False

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