Group Discussion Worksheet: How a GD Works

Debate lesson 17: How a group discussion works · Set 164 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Explore together): Debate: fixed sides, a set order, fixed time per speaker, a motion, a winner. GD: no sides, no set order, a topic to explore together. A good GD topic can be seen in different ways; a fact question (“How many legs does a spider have?”) cannot be discussed. Sharing time: minutes ÷ members; discussion time = total − thinking time − summary time.

1. 1.⭕ How are members usually seated in a GD? (a) back to back (b) in a circle or U (c) in rows facing a stage (d) one behind another
2. 2.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Which planet is closest to the Sun?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
3. 3.True or false: “members speak freely” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) no fixed sides (b) fixed for and against (c) reaching shared ideas (d) members speak freely
5. 5.⭕ Where are GDs often used? (a) cooking shows (b) interviews and classes (c) music exams (d) cricket matches
6. 6.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) members speak freely (b) sitting in a circle (c) a set speaking order (d) no fixed sides
7. 7.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) no set order of turns (b) a topic to explore (c) reaching shared ideas (d) judges pick a winner
8. 8.⭕ Debate or group discussion: judges pick a winner? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
9. 9.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) a topic to explore (b) proposition, opposition (c) a fixed time per speaker (d) a motion to argue
10. 10.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) a topic to explore (b) sitting in a circle (c) members speak freely (d) proposition, opposition
11. 11.True or false: “proposition, opposition” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.⭕ Is there a fixed speaking order in a GD? (a) yes, by height (b) yes, by roll number (c) no, anyone may speak
13. 13.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) a fixed time per speaker (b) fixed for and against (c) reaching shared ideas (d) proposition, opposition
14. 14.⭕ Debate or group discussion: no set order of turns? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
15. 15.⭕ What is the main aim of a GD? (a) defeat the others (b) explore a topic together (c) talk the longest (d) stay silent
16. 16.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Are board games better than screen games?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
17. 17.⭕ Debate or group discussion: sitting in a circle? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
18. 18.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) a fixed time per speaker (b) a topic to explore (c) sitting in a circle (d) no fixed sides
19. 19.⭕ A group discussion lasts 15 minutes. It begins with 2 minutes of thinking time and ends with 3 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
20. 20.True or false: “a fixed time per speaker” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.True or false: “no set order of turns” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⭕ A group discussion lasts 25 minutes. It begins with 1 minute of thinking time and ends with 2 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
23. 23.True or false: “a set speaking order” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⭕ A group discussion lasts 30 minutes. It begins with 3 minutes of thinking time and ends with 1 minute for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
25. 25.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a topic to explore? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
26. 26.True or false: “fixed for and against” is a feature of a debate. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a motion to argue? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
28. 28.⭕ In a group discussion, Nisha speaks 2 times for about 60 seconds each time. How many seconds does Nisha speak in all?
29. 29.⭕ Does a GD usually end with a winning team? (a) no (b) yes
30. 30.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Are school trips as useful as lessons?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
31. 31.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) sitting in a circle (b) no set order of turns (c) a motion to argue (d) no fixed sides
32. 32.⭕ A group discussion lasts 15 minutes. It begins with 3 minutes of thinking time and ends with 3 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
33. 33.⭕ How many members does a GD usually have? (a) about 100 (b) about 50 (c) just 1 (d) about 6 to 10
34. 34.⭕ Debate or group discussion: proposition, opposition? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
35. 35.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “What is 15 × 4?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
36. 36.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) no fixed sides (b) judges pick a winner (c) a motion to argue (d) proposition, opposition
37. 37.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “What colour do red and yellow make?” (a) a good GD topic (b) not a GD topic
38. 38.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Should students learn a musical instrument?” (a) a good GD topic (b) not a GD topic
39. 39.True or false: “a motion to argue” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “reaching shared ideas” is a feature of a debate. (a) False (b) True

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