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.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
- 2.🛡️ What is a rebuttal? (a) a personal attack (b) repeating your point (c) thanking the judges (d) answering their point
- 3.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Studies show things.” (a) not reliable (b) not relevant (c) not specific
- 4.🔎 What makes evidence strong? (a) funny and short (b) old and vague (c) loud and long (d) relevant and reliable
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 6.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Children need free time to play and rest after school.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 8.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Recycling is too hard to manage.” Reply: “That’s only because you are so slow.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) attacks the person (c) dodges the point
- 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Frogs lay eggs. (b) Spiders have 8 legs. (c) Ice is frozen water. (d) Dogs beat cats as pets.
- 10.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Our class should start a recycling corner.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
- 11.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
- 12.True or false: “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) True (b) False
- 13.True or false: They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “With teachers watching and simple tools, it can be done safely.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) False (b) True
- 14.True or false: “such as” shows a result. (a) True (b) False
- 15.True or false: “That means students who know first aid could help at once.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
- 16.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) a guess (b) a chat forward (c) an unsigned poster (d) the city water board
- 17.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on sports periods: “Mangoes grow in summer.” (a) not reliable (b) not relevant (c) not specific
- 18.True or false: They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “Sport is played all over the world.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) True (b) False
- 19.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “It helps children help their families at home.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 20.True or false: They said “Recycling is too hard to manage.” Reply: “Two labelled bins and one monitor per class make it simple.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) True (b) False
- 21.🛡️ They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Which reply answers this point? (a) play helps us focus (b) you never play sport (c) sport is popular (d) I like lunch break
- 22.True or false: the school nurse’s record of sick days is weak evidence. (a) False (b) True
- 23.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Don’t listen to Kabir’s idea about the canteen — he can’t even tie his shoelaces.” (a) slippery slope (b) everyone does it (c) false either/or (d) attacking the person
- 24.🔗 “Homework helps us practise. ___, too much homework causes stress.” Which fits? (a) However (b) For instance (c) Because (d) So
- 25.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: a fact from our science textbook? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
- 26.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Some people say it helps somehow.” (a) not relevant (b) not specific (c) not reliable
- 27.🔗 What does “as a result” do in an argument? (a) adds an example (b) shows the other side (c) shows a result (d) gives a reason
- 28.🛡️ When you rebut, what do you do first? (a) change the topic (b) laugh at them (c) raise your voice (d) state their point fairly
- 29.🚩 Which fallacy claims one small step will surely lead to a disaster? (a) attacking the person (b) everyone does it (c) false either/or (d) slippery slope
- 30.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: “Lots of people think so.”? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
- 31.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 32.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say their point or say why it is wrong? (a) say their point (b) say why it is wrong
- 33.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Many schools do not have a big enough playground.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 34.🧐 A fact is something that… (a) is always funny (b) can be checked (c) is a guess (d) someone feels
- 35.🔗 What does “therefore” show? (a) a result (b) an example (c) a reason (d) the other side
- 36.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “My neighbour heard it from someone.” (a) not reliable (b) not relevant (c) not specific
- 37.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) adds a new topic (b) repeats the claim (c) links proof to the claim (d) ends the debate
- 38.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Cartoons are too silly.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
- 39.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 40.🔎 Before using a number in a debate, you should… (a) make it bigger (b) check where it came from (c) hide the source (d) round it to 100
Answer key
- True
- answering their point
- not specific
- relevant and reliable
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
- attacks the person
- Dogs beat cats as pets.
- a claim
- True
- True
- True
- False
- False
- the city water board
- not relevant
- False
- for the motion
- True
- play helps us focus
- False
- attacking the person
- However
- strong evidence
- not specific
- shows a result
- state their point fairly
- slippery slope
- weak evidence
- for the motion
- say their point
- against the motion
- can be checked
- a result
- not reliable
- links proof to the claim
- an opinion
- False
- check where it came from
Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students