Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 500 · 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: “We must cancel Sports Day, or the exams will go badly.” is a false either/or. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “A website with no name says so.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🔗 “We need a school garden ___ children learn by growing plants.” Which fits? (a) however (b) for instance (c) so (d) because
4. 4.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it is wrong or say their point? (a) say why it is wrong (b) say their point
5. 5.⚖️ 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) for the motion (b) against the motion
6. 6.🧐 A fact is something that… (a) can be checked (b) someone feels (c) is always funny (d) is a guess
7. 7.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
8. 8.True or false: “Students should learn first aid.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🔗 What does “for instance” do in an argument? (a) gives a reason (b) shows a result (c) shows the other side (d) adds an example
10. 10.Which linking word shows the other side? (a) so (b) such as (c) on the other hand (d) the reason is
11. 11.🛡️ What is a rebuttal? (a) a personal attack (b) repeating your point (c) answering their point (d) thanking the judges
12. 12.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) the city water board (b) a chat forward (c) a guess (d) an unsigned poster
13. 13.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Dogs beat cats as pets.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
14. 14.True or false: “Tara can’t be right about homework — she supports the other cricket team.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “In our trial week, 32 of 40 students finished a book.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
16. 16.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) A triangle has 3 sides. (b) A year has 12 months. (c) Plants need water. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
17. 17.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
18. 18.True or false: “Last year, Class 7 planted 40 saplings and 35 are still growing.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.Which linking word shows the other side? (a) as a result (b) due to (c) because (d) however
20. 20.🚩 How should you answer a fallacy in a debate? (a) copy it back (b) ignore the judges (c) point it out calmly (d) shout at them
21. 21.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “If students choose one book, next they will want to choose every lesson.” (a) attacking the person (b) everyone does it (c) slippery slope (d) false either/or
22. 22.True or false: “for instance” adds an example. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Spiders have 8 legs.” (a) a fact (b) an opinion
24. 24.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) Samosas are tastiest. (b) A year has 12 months. (c) A triangle has 3 sides. (d) Earth orbits the Sun.
25. 25.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) A year has 12 months. (b) Rainy days are fun. (c) Homework is dull. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
26. 26.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “The timetable is already full with core subjects.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: an unsigned post with no source? (a) strong evidence (b) weak evidence
28. 28.True or false: They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “Libraries are quiet places.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “this is because” shows a result. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A website with no name says so.” (a) not relevant (b) not reliable (c) not specific
31. 31.🚩 Which fallacy claims one small step will surely lead to a disaster? (a) everyone does it (b) slippery slope (c) false either/or (d) attacking the person
32. 32.⚖️ 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
33. 33.🧐 Which word often signals an opinion? (a) metre (b) Tuesday (c) twelve (d) best
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Homework is dull. (b) Frogs lay eggs. (c) Chess is boring. (d) Dogs beat cats as pets.
35. 35.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Meera’s plan for the class trip is useless because she is always late.” (a) false either/or (b) attacking the person (c) slippery slope (d) everyone does it
36. 36.True or false: the school nurse’s record of sick days is strong evidence. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) A triangle has 3 sides. (b) Rainy days are fun. (c) Samosas are tastiest. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
38. 38.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “If we allow one extra break, soon there will be no lessons at all.” (a) false either/or (b) slippery slope (c) everyone does it (d) attacking the person
39. 39.True or false: “Homework is dull.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🚩 Which fallacy says an idea is right because many people do it? (a) attacking the person (b) everyone does it (c) false either/or (d) slippery slope

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