Group Discussion - You receive a telephone call from your mother’s office when she is not at home. You
have the following conversation with the speaker. But you have to go for your tuition
class. So you leave a message for your mother. Write the message within 50 words
using the information given below. Do not add any new information.
Example:
Ambuj : Hello!
Mr Rastogi: Hello! May I speak to Ms Dixit, please? I am Naresh Rastogi from the
office.
Ambuj : Mom’s not at home right now.
Mr Rastogi: In that case can you give her a message? It is urgent. Please tell her that
the meeting fixed for tomorrow has been rescheduled. Ask her to check
her mail as soon as possible for the details. Please don’t forget to inform
her.
Ambuj : Don’t worry. I will tell her as soon as she returns. 14 Feb 3:30 pm
Message
Mom
Mr Rastogi from the office called up to say that the meeting fixed for tomorrow
has been rescheduled. He wants you to check your mail as soon as possible for the
details. He said it was urgent.
Ambuj
Suggesting
I think we should…… Why don’t we…..?
Let’s…… Couldn’t we……?
Don’t you think we could….?
Asking for opinion
What is your opinion on….? What do you feel about…?
I wonder what do you think about…..? I’d like to know your stand on…..
Interrupting
I’m sorry to interrupt but….
Excuse me. Could I add something, please?
That’s true. Sorry, but…..
Handling Interruptions
Just a moment please. Could I finish what I am saying?
If you would just let me finish……. Could you wait for a minute, please.
Concluding
To summarise/conclude,…… We can conclude by saying……
Let’s run quickly through the main ideas before concluding the discussion.
Sample Group Discussion
Evaluator : You’ve all been given a few minutes to think on your topic for today’s
group discussion, which is ‘Do you think teenagers should be given a
separate mobile phone?’You may now begin the discussion. Who would
like to start?
Manisha : I think the topic of this discussion is very relevant to all of us here.
As teenagers, we are so fond of our mobile phones, and its different
features that have become irresistible to us. I feel mobile phones are
quite necessary, they are quite helpful for educational purpose, we can
get support for their various subjects just at the click of a button.
Anamika : I also agree with Suhasini because now-a-days people use smartphones
and they can get access to any information they want like travel
information, recipes, courses, colleges etc
John : Yes, I would like to add to it. I don’t think students use the mobile phones
only for seeking useful information. They use it for entertainment too.
They listen to songs, watch movies etc. I am afraid they see unsuitable
things too. Moreover they spend long hours on phone.
Anamika : Yes Dipak, you are absolutely right. But, I think parents have made
them aware of the abuses of the mobiles and they are mature enough to
understand how to use the mobile phone productively.
Ananya : Yes, all this is true but don’t you all agree that they do see unwanted
things and waste their time in things not suitable for their age group.
John : I agree with what Manjula says. It is a sheer wastage of time, money
and energy.
Anamika : I feel that most of the students have forgotten the basic use of mobile
phones; they have to travel long distances for tuitions and other purposes.
The parents can keep a track of their children. That is the main reason
why parents have given them mobiles.
John : Yes, but students have become lazy. They lack concentration, they don’t
read books, the phone keeps ringing and disturbs them now and then.
Manisha : Parents, institutions block some sites so that students are not able to
view unwanted material. The risk is there but with advantages there are
disadvantages too.
Evaluator : All right, everyone. Your time’s nearly up. Could someone conclude,
please?
John : Taking the points into consideration mobile is a good and useful tool
but a time period should be allotted to the students to use mobile so
that students do not become couch potatoes. Eye problems, posture
problems, psychological problems have increased. They sometimes
become violent if mobile phones are taken away from them. They can
use these phones but they should be made to use them judiciously.