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.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it is wrong or say why it matters? (a) say why it is wrong (b) say why it matters
- 2.🧐 Which word often signals an opinion? (a) Tuesday (b) twelve (c) best (d) metre
- 3.True or false: “Some people say it helps somehow.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
- 4.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A lot of water gets wasted somewhere.” (a) not specific (b) not relevant (c) not reliable
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Long holidays give time to visit grandparents and relatives.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 6.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Cartoons are too silly.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
- 7.True or false: They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “With teachers watching and simple tools, it can be done safely.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) True (b) False
- 8.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
- 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) although (b) but (c) on the other hand (d) due to
- 11.True or false: the school library’s record of books borrowed is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
- 12.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Earth orbits the Sun. (b) Mangoes taste best. (c) Homework is dull. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
- 13.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) A year has 12 months. (b) Chess is boring. (c) The Moon orbits Earth. (d) Frogs lay eggs.
- 14.🔎 What makes evidence strong? (a) loud and long (b) relevant and reliable (c) old and vague (d) funny and short
- 15.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “You never read anything yourself.” (a) attacks the person (b) dodges the point (c) a fair rebuttal
- 16.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) repeats the claim (b) adds a new topic (c) links proof to the claim (d) ends the debate
- 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Dogs beat cats as pets. (b) A triangle has 3 sides. (c) Bees make honey. (d) Plants need water.
- 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) due to (b) for example (c) because (d) the reason is
- 19.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the judges’ marks (b) a number you found (c) the point you argue (d) a joke
- 20.True or false: In a debate on saving water: “My favourite colour is green.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) True (b) False
- 21.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) Spiders have 8 legs. (b) A triangle has 3 sides. (c) Ice is frozen water. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
- 22.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Everyone in my building bursts loud crackers, so it can’t be harmful.” (a) everyone does it (b) attacking the person (c) slippery slope (d) false either/or
- 23.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) a rhyme (d) facts that back a claim
- 24.True or false: “Everybody leaves the tap running, so it doesn’t matter.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
- 25.🔗 “Plastic harms animals. ___, cows often swallow plastic bags.” Which fits? (a) However (b) Because (c) Therefore (d) For example
- 26.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 27.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Families could use evenings for hobbies and time together.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 28.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Puzzles are great fun.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
- 29.True or false: an unsigned post with no source is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
- 30.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the school library’s record of books borrowed? (a) strong evidence (b) weak evidence
- 31.True or false: “Meera’s plan for the class trip is useless because she is always late.” is attacking the person. (a) True (b) False
- 32.True or false: “Don’t listen to Kabir’s idea about the canteen — he can’t even tie his shoelaces.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
- 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Kolkata is in India. (b) Plants need water. (c) A triangle has 3 sides. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
- 34.True or false: “My neighbour heard it from someone.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
- 35.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 36.🔎 Which is more specific? (a) lots of students (b) 30 of 40 students
- 37.🔗 What does “for instance” do in an argument? (a) shows the other side (b) shows a result (c) gives a reason (d) adds an example
- 38.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “We must cancel Sports Day, or the exams will go badly.” (a) everyone does it (b) false either/or (c) slippery slope (d) attacking the person
- 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
- 40.True or false: “Don’t listen to Kabir’s idea about the canteen — he can’t even tie his shoelaces.” is attacking the person. (a) False (b) True
Answer key
- say why it is wrong
- best
- False
- not specific
- False
- an opinion
- False
- for the motion
- a claim
- due to
- False
- Earth orbits the Sun.
- Chess is boring.
- relevant and reliable
- attacks the person
- links proof to the claim
- Dogs beat cats as pets.
- for example
- the point you argue
- False
- Pink is a lovely colour.
- everyone does it
- facts that back a claim
- True
- For example
- False
- False
- an opinion
- True
- strong evidence
- True
- False
- Puzzles are great fun.
- False
- False
- 30 of 40 students
- adds an example
- false either/or
- a claim
- True
Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students