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.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) so (b) this is because (c) because (d) due to
- 2.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Anyway, I like football more than homework.” (a) attacks the person (b) a fair rebuttal (c) dodges the point
- 3.🧐 A fact is something that… (a) is always funny (b) someone feels (c) is a guess (d) can be checked
- 4.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is better learned at home with family.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 5.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) a chat forward (b) the city water board (c) an unsigned poster (d) a guess
- 6.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “A garden costs too much.” Reply: “Gardens look very pretty in spring.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
- 7.True or false: a fact from our science textbook is strong evidence. (a) False (b) True
- 8.🛡️ They said “Homework helps us practise.” Which reply answers this point? (a) you are a show-off (b) homework is boring (c) we can practise in class (d) I like football
- 9.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “My neighbour heard it from someone.” (a) not relevant (b) not specific (c) not reliable
- 10.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 11.True or false: “Pink is a lovely colour.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) False (b) True
- 12.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Dogs beat cats as pets. (b) Rainy days are fun. (c) Cartoons are too silly. (d) Spiders have 8 legs.
- 13.True or false: They said “Long holidays help us rest.” Reply: “You are lazy, so of course you want rest.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) False (b) True
- 14.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Why trust Arjun on saving water? He has messy handwriting.” (a) false either/or (b) slippery slope (c) attacking the person (d) everyone does it
- 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Rainy days are fun. (b) A triangle has 3 sides. (c) Chess is boring. (d) Science is exciting.
- 16.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it matters or say their point? (a) say why it matters (b) say their point
- 17.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Mangoes taste best. (b) Chess is boring. (c) Dogs beat cats as pets. (d) Earth orbits the Sun.
- 18.🔗 What does “therefore” do in an argument? (a) shows a result (b) adds an example (c) gives a reason (d) shows the other side
- 19.True or false: “Some people say it helps somehow.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
- 20.True or false: “Tara can’t be right about homework — she supports the other cricket team.” is attacking the person. (a) False (b) True
- 21.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “Sport is played all over the world.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) attacks the person (c) dodges the point
- 22.True or false: “Mangoes taste best.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) True (b) False
- 23.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the school nurse’s record of sick days? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
- 24.⚖️ The opposition argues… (a) against the motion (b) about another topic (c) for the motion
- 25.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every child should learn to swim.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
- 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) A year has 12 months. (b) Cartoons are too silly. (c) Chess is boring. (d) Science is exciting.
- 27.True or false: They said “Recycling is too hard to manage.” Reply: “Plastic comes in many colours.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) False (b) True
- 28.🧐 How can you check a fact? (a) ask a stranger (b) trust a rumour (c) use a reliable source (d) guess
- 29.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Ice is frozen water.” (a) a fact (b) an opinion
- 30.🔗 What does “therefore” show? (a) an example (b) a reason (c) the other side (d) a result
- 31.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it is wrong or give your evidence? (a) say why it is wrong (b) give your evidence
- 32.🚩 Which fallacy says an idea is right because many people do it? (a) everyone does it (b) attacking the person (c) false either/or (d) slippery slope
- 33.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
- 34.True or false: one friend’s guess is weak evidence. (a) False (b) True
- 35.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Families could use evenings for hobbies and time together.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 36.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Lots of students like it.” (a) not relevant (b) not specific (c) not reliable
- 37.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Summer is too hot in many parts of India for classes.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) A triangle has 3 sides. (b) Puzzles are great fun. (c) Plants need water. (d) Kolkata is in India.
- 39.True or false: “Lots of students copy homework, so it is okay.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
- 40.True or false: a survey of 300 students in our school is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
Answer key
- so
- dodges the point
- can be checked
- False
- the city water board
- dodges the point
- True
- we can practise in class
- not reliable
- True
- False
- Spiders have 8 legs.
- False
- attacking the person
- A triangle has 3 sides.
- say their point
- Earth orbits the Sun.
- shows a result
- False
- True
- dodges the point
- True
- strong evidence
- against the motion
- a claim
- A year has 12 months.
- False
- use a reliable source
- a fact
- a result
- say why it is wrong
- everyone does it
- evidence
- True
- for the motion
- not specific
- against the motion
- Puzzles are great fun.
- True
- False
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