Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 98 · 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: “linking to daily life” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a joke off the topic (c) linking to daily life (d) starting with “sorry”
4. 4.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) mumbling the start (b) a long story first (c) a joke off the topic (d) a calm, clear voice
5. 5.True or false: “a quick real example” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: defining the key word? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
7. 7.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) never speak first (b) only if well prepared (c) always, at any cost
9. 9.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a brief, sharp point (b) a joke off the topic (c) mumbling the start (d) a long story first
10. 10.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Um, I don’t know much, but I’ll start anyway.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
11. 11.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: starting with “sorry”? (a) a weak start (b) a strong 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 weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
14. 14.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a short, clear question (d) starting with “sorry”
15. 15.True or false: “a short, clear question” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
17. 17.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) note 2–3 key points (b) memorise a speech (c) check your phone (d) close your eyes
18. 18.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: repeating the topic? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
19. 19.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) reading from notes (d) mumbling the start
20. 20.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a brief, sharp point (c) reading from notes (d) setting out the scope
22. 22.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🚀 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
24. 24.🚀 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
25. 25.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: linking to daily life? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
26. 26.True or false: “setting out the scope” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “a calm, clear voice” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “a long story first” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a calm, clear voice
32. 32.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
33. 33.🚀 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
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) mumbling the start (b) a short, clear question (c) linking to daily life (d) a quick real example
35. 35.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a short, clear question (c) a relevant fact (d) setting out the scope
37. 37.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a quick real example (b) a short, clear question (c) setting out the scope (d) a long story first
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) repeating the topic (b) a relevant fact (c) a long story first (d) mumbling the start
39. 39.🚀 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
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) shouting to be first (c) a short, clear question (d) starting with “sorry”

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