Group Discussion Worksheet: How a GD Works

Debate lesson 17: How a group discussion works · Set 330 · 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.⭕ A group discussion lasts 30 minutes. It begins with 1 minute of thinking time and ends with 1 minute for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
2. 2.⭕ A group discussion has 9 members and lasts 27 minutes. If the time is shared equally, how many minutes does each member get?
3. 3.⭕ What is the main aim of a GD? (a) talk the longest (b) explore a topic together (c) stay silent (d) defeat the others
4. 4.⭕ A group discussion has 6 members and lasts 18 minutes. If the time is shared equally, how many minutes does each member get?
5. 5.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) proposition, opposition (b) a set speaking order (c) fixed for and against (d) members speak freely
6. 6.⭕ Debate or group discussion: members speak freely? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
7. 7.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a fixed time per speaker? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
8. 8.⭕ Debate or group discussion: fixed for and against? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
9. 9.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) sitting in a circle (b) no set order of turns (c) fixed for and against (d) a topic to explore
10. 10.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a topic to explore? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
11. 11.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Are school trips as useful as lessons?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
12. 12.⭕ In a group discussion, Meera speaks 4 times for about 30 seconds each time. How many seconds does Meera speak in all?
13. 13.⭕ A group discussion lasts 15 minutes. It begins with 3 minutes of thinking time and ends with 2 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
14. 14.⭕ Debate or group discussion: sitting in a circle? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
15. 15.Which of these is a feature of a debate? (a) judges pick a winner (b) members speak freely (c) reaching shared ideas (d) a topic to explore
16. 16.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a set speaking order? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
17. 17.True or false: “judges pick a winner” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.⭕ 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
19. 19.True or false: “a set speaking order” is a feature of a debate. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.⭕ Debate or group discussion: no fixed sides? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
21. 21.⭕ Where are GDs often used? (a) interviews and classes (b) music exams (c) cooking shows (d) cricket matches
22. 22.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Should every school have a garden?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
23. 23.⭕ A group discussion lasts 30 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?
24. 24.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “How many days are there in a week?” (a) a good GD topic (b) not a GD topic
25. 25.⭕ A group discussion lasts 25 minutes. It begins with 2 minutes of thinking time and ends with 2 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
26. 26.⭕ In a group discussion, Tara speaks 5 times for about 40 seconds each time. How many seconds does Tara speak in all?
27. 27.⭕ A group discussion lasts 20 minutes. It begins with 2 minutes of thinking time and ends with 2 minutes for the summary. How many minutes are left for the discussion?
28. 28.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Which planet is closest to the Sun?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
29. 29.⭕ Debate or group discussion: a motion to argue? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
30. 30.⭕ Debate or group discussion: reaching shared ideas? (a) a debate (b) a group discussion
31. 31.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) a motion to argue (b) judges pick a winner (c) sitting in a circle (d) fixed for and against
32. 32.True or false: “members speak freely” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: “no fixed sides” is a feature of a debate. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.True or false: “fixed for and against” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.⭕ Debate or group discussion: no set order of turns? (a) a group discussion (b) a debate
36. 36.⭕ Is this a good GD topic? “Should students learn a musical instrument?” (a) not a GD topic (b) a good GD topic
37. 37.Which of these is a feature of a group discussion? (a) a set speaking order (b) a fixed time per speaker (c) no set order of turns (d) fixed for and against
38. 38.True or false: “a set speaking order” is a feature of a group discussion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.⭕ A group discussion has 5 members and lasts 15 minutes. If the time is shared equally, how many minutes does each member get?
40. 40.True or false: “a motion to argue” is a feature of a debate. (a) True (b) False

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