Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test
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.
NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
- 1.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Hot stoves and knives can be risky for young students.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 2.🛡️ A good rebuttal attacks… (a) the speaker (b) the judges (c) the argument (d) the audience
- 3.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Dogs beat cats as pets. (b) Pink is a lovely colour. (c) Chess is boring. (d) Spiders have 8 legs.
- 4.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Your point about recycling is wrong because you are only in Class 6.” (a) slippery slope (b) attacking the person (c) everyone does it (d) false either/or
- 5.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Either the class is painted blue, or it will look terrible.” (a) attacking the person (b) slippery slope (c) false either/or (d) everyone does it
- 6.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on saving water: “My favourite colour is green.” (a) not specific (b) not reliable (c) not relevant
- 7.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
- 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) but (b) this is because (c) because (d) the reason is
- 9.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Spiders have 8 legs. (b) Dogs beat cats as pets. (c) Pink is a lovely colour. (d) Samosas are tastiest.
- 11.🧩 An argument with a claim but no evidence is… (a) complete (b) strong (c) proven (d) weak
- 12.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Long holidays help us rest.” Reply: “Two shorter breaks would give the same rest without losing touch with lessons.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
- 13.True or false: In a debate on school gardens: “Cricket is popular in India.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) True (b) False
- 14.🚩 Which fallacy attacks the speaker instead of the idea? (a) everyone does it (b) false either/or (c) slippery slope (d) attacking the person
- 15.True or false: “Science is exciting.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) True (b) False
- 16.True or false: figures from the city water board is strong evidence. (a) True (b) False
- 17.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 18.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Teachers use homework to see who needs extra help.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 19.True or false: “although” adds an example. (a) False (b) True
- 20.🔗 What does “this is because” do in an argument? (a) shows the other side (b) adds an example (c) shows a result (d) gives a reason
- 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) therefore (b) so (c) for example (d) as a result
- 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) The Moon orbits Earth. (b) Homework is dull. (c) Ice is frozen water. (d) A triangle has 3 sides.
- 23.True or false: “but” shows the other side. (a) False (b) True
- 24.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Lots of students like it.” (a) not reliable (b) not specific (c) not relevant
- 25.True or false: “but” adds an example. (a) True (b) False
- 26.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “A class diary shows children who did chores finished homework on time more often.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
- 27.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Meera’s plan for the class trip is useless because she is always late.” (a) false either/or (b) slippery slope (c) attacking the person (d) everyone does it
- 28.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Anyway, I like football more than homework.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) attacks the person (c) dodges the point
- 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Earth orbits the Sun. (b) The Moon orbits Earth. (c) Mangoes taste best. (d) Bees make honey.
- 30.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a number you found (b) a joke (c) the judges’ marks (d) the point you argue
- 31.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
- 32.True or false: They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “A short break for play helps students focus better afterwards.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) True (b) False
- 33.⚖️ 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
- 34.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Kolkata is in India.” (a) a fact (b) an opinion
- 35.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “I saw it on a random poster once.” (a) not reliable (b) not specific (c) not relevant
- 36.🚩 What is a fallacy? (a) a strong piece of proof (b) a debate rule (c) a mistake in reasoning (d) a polite reply
- 37.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “Sport is played all over the world.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
- 38.🧐 A fact is something that… (a) someone feels (b) is always funny (c) can be checked (d) is a guess
- 39.True or false: the school nurse’s record of sick days is strong evidence. (a) True (b) False
- 40.True or false: “You either love cricket or you hate sports.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
Answer key
- against the motion
- the argument
- Spiders have 8 legs.
- attacking the person
- false either/or
- not relevant
- True
- but
- False
- Spiders have 8 legs.
- weak
- a fair rebuttal
- False
- attacking the person
- True
- True
- for the motion
- True
- False
- gives a reason
- for example
- Homework is dull.
- True
- not specific
- False
- evidence
- attacking the person
- dodges the point
- Mangoes taste best.
- the point you argue
- a claim
- False
- False
- a fact
- not reliable
- a mistake in reasoning
- dodges the point
- can be checked
- True
- False
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