Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 167 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Point, proof, link — and no tricks): Find the topic of the question: argument parts, fact or opinion, evidence, sides, rebuttal, fallacy or linking word. Use that lesson’s tip — claim, evidence, reasoning; can it be checked?; relevant, specific, reliable; agree or disagree?; answer the point; name the broken step; show the link. Read every option before you choose.

1. 1.True or false: They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Practice can happen in class, where the teacher can help.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🛡️ They said “Homework helps us practise.” Which reply answers this point? (a) I like football (b) you are a show-off (c) we can practise in class (d) homework is boring
3. 3.True or false: They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Anyway, I like football more than homework.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
5. 5.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.True or false: “My neighbour heard it from someone.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Students would learn about healthy food.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Homework is dull. (b) Chess is boring. (c) Mangoes taste best. (d) Earth orbits the Sun.
9. 9.True or false: “Some people say it helps somehow.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) False (b) True
10. 10.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
11. 11.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) a chat forward (b) an unsigned poster (c) the city water board (d) a guess
12. 12.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Daily exercise keeps children fit and healthy.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
13. 13.🔗 What does “such as” do in an argument? (a) gives a reason (b) shows the other side (c) shows a result (d) adds an example
14. 14.True or false: In a debate on reading: “Trains run on tracks.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🚩 Which fallacy claims one small step will surely lead to a disaster? (a) everyone does it (b) attacking the person (c) false either/or (d) slippery slope
17. 17.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
19. 19.True or false: “I saw it on a random poster once.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) True (b) False
20. 20.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Playing in teams teaches cooperation.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “It helps children help their families at home.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
22. 22.🛡️ What is a rebuttal? (a) a personal attack (b) thanking the judges (c) repeating your point (d) answering their point
23. 23.🧐 What makes an opinion stronger in a debate? (a) facts that support it (b) saying it twice (c) a rude word (d) shouting it
24. 24.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) we forget in long breaks (b) kids need a long rest (c) time with grandparents
25. 25.True or false: “this is because” shows the other side. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: They said “Long holidays help us rest.” Reply: “Let’s talk about something else instead.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Spiders have 8 legs. (b) Plants need water. (c) Frogs lay eggs. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) that is why (b) so (c) as a result (d) such as
31. 31.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) ends the debate (b) links proof to the claim (c) repeats the claim (d) adds a new topic
32. 32.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the school nurse’s record of sick days? (a) strong evidence (b) weak evidence
33. 33.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it matters or say why it is wrong? (a) say why it matters (b) say why it is wrong
34. 34.True or false: “Plants need water.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: a story you are not sure about is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Some children get no other chance to play sport.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
37. 37.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) facts that back a claim (d) a rhyme
39. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
40. 40.True or false: “Dogs beat cats as pets.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True

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