Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 176 · 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.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
2. 2.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.True or false: “A website with no name says so.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) True (b) False
5. 5.True or false: “This tells us that beginners learn swimming quickly with a little practice.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.🧐 A fact is something that… (a) is a guess (b) someone feels (c) is always funny (d) can be checked
7. 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A long school day leaves no room for another period.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
9. 9.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: one friend’s guess? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
10. 10.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) but (b) that is why (c) because (d) on the other hand
11. 11.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Rainy days are fun. (b) Mangoes taste best. (c) Plants need water. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
12. 12.🚩 Which fallacy says an idea is right because many people do it? (a) everyone does it (b) slippery slope (c) attacking the person (d) false either/or
13. 13.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A break from desks helps students focus better afterwards.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
14. 14.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) a guess (b) an unsigned poster (c) the city water board (d) a chat forward
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Science is exciting. (b) Rainy days are fun. (c) Kolkata is in India. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Cartoons are too silly. (b) Dogs beat cats as pets. (c) Plants need water. (d) Chess is boring.
17. 17.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “You never read anything yourself.” (a) dodges the point (b) a fair rebuttal (c) attacks the person
18. 18.🔗 What does “on the other hand” do in an argument? (a) shows the other side (b) gives a reason (c) shows a result (d) adds an example
19. 19.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on homework: “Mount Everest is very tall.” (a) not specific (b) not reliable (c) not relevant
20. 20.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
21. 21.True or false: “Everybody knows it.” is strong evidence. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “therefore” shows a result. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔗 “Plastic harms animals. ___, cows often swallow plastic bags.” Which fits? (a) For example (b) However (c) Because (d) Therefore
24. 24.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Children need free time to play and rest after school.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Lots of students copy homework, so it is okay.” (a) slippery slope (b) false either/or (c) attacking the person (d) everyone does it
26. 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “School canteens should serve more fruit.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
27. 27.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
28. 28.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Lots of students like it.” (a) not specific (b) not reliable (c) not relevant
29. 29.🛡️ They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Which reply answers this point? (a) I like lunch break (b) play helps us focus (c) sport is popular (d) you never play sport
30. 30.🛡️ They said “A garden costs too much.” Which reply answers this point? (a) seeds cost under ₹500 (b) you can’t grow plants (c) I love flowers (d) gardens are pretty
31. 31.True or false: “Bees make honey.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
33. 33.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “If you miss one homework, you will fail every exam and never get a job.” (a) everyone does it (b) false either/or (c) attacking the person (d) slippery slope
34. 34.True or false: “due to” gives a reason. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it matters or give your evidence? (a) say why it matters (b) give your evidence
36. 36.🛡️ When you rebut, what do you do first? (a) laugh at them (b) change the topic (c) state their point fairly (d) raise your voice
37. 37.True or false: They said “A garden costs too much.” Reply: “Gardens look very pretty in spring.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔗 What does “for instance” do in an argument? (a) adds an example (b) shows a result (c) shows the other side (d) gives a reason
39. 39.True or false: “Ishaan wants a reading hour, but he is a show-off, so ignore him.” is a false either/or. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Plants need water. (b) Mangoes taste best. (c) The Moon orbits Earth. (d) A year has 12 months.

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