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Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 426 · 40 questions
TalentJR

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. 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. 2.🧐 Which word often signals an opinion? (a) Tuesday (b) twelve (c) best (d) metre
  3. 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. 4.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A lot of water gets wasted somewhere.” (a) not specific (b) not relevant (c) not reliable
  5. 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. 6.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Cartoons are too silly.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
  7. 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. 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. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) although (b) but (c) on the other hand (d) due to
  11. 11.True or false: the school library’s record of books borrowed is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
  12. 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. 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. 14.🔎 What makes evidence strong? (a) loud and long (b) relevant and reliable (c) old and vague (d) funny and short
  15. 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. 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. 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. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) due to (b) for example (c) because (d) the reason is
  19. 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. 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. 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. 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. 23.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) a rhyme (d) facts that back a claim
  24. 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. 25.🔗 “Plastic harms animals. ___, cows often swallow plastic bags.” Which fits? (a) However (b) Because (c) Therefore (d) For example
  26. 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. 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. 28.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Puzzles are great fun.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
  29. 29.True or false: an unsigned post with no source is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
  30. 30.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the school library’s record of books borrowed? (a) strong evidence (b) weak evidence
  31. 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. 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. 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. 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. 35.True or false: “Every child should learn to swim.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
  36. 36.🔎 Which is more specific? (a) lots of students (b) 30 of 40 students
  37. 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. 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. 39.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
  40. 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

  1. say why it is wrong
  2. best
  3. False
  4. not specific
  5. False
  6. an opinion
  7. False
  8. for the motion
  9. a claim
  10. due to
  11. False
  12. Earth orbits the Sun.
  13. Chess is boring.
  14. relevant and reliable
  15. attacks the person
  16. links proof to the claim
  17. Dogs beat cats as pets.
  18. for example
  19. the point you argue
  20. False
  21. Pink is a lovely colour.
  22. everyone does it
  23. facts that back a claim
  24. True
  25. For example
  26. False
  27. False
  28. an opinion
  29. True
  30. strong evidence
  31. True
  32. False
  33. Puzzles are great fun.
  34. False
  35. False
  36. 30 of 40 students
  37. adds an example
  38. false either/or
  39. a claim
  40. True

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