Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 624 · 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.🔗 What does “therefore” do in an argument? (a) gives a reason (b) shows a result (c) shows the other side (d) adds an example
2. 2.True or false: “You can either study all day or play all day.” is a false either/or. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.True or false: “Studies show things.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) True (b) False
4. 4.True or false: “Samosas are tastiest.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
6. 6.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A daily sports period would take time from other subjects.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
7. 7.True or false: “Tara can’t be right about homework — she supports the other cricket team.” is attacking the person. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.True or false: “A lot of water gets wasted somewhere.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) False (b) True
9. 9.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Either we ban all snacks, or everyone will get sick.” (a) slippery slope (b) false either/or (c) attacking the person (d) everyone does it
10. 10.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Lots of students copy homework, so it is okay.” (a) everyone does it (b) slippery slope (c) attacking the person (d) false either/or
11. 11.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Samosas are tastiest. (b) Rainy days are fun. (c) Earth orbits the Sun. (d) Chess is boring.
13. 13.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Cartoons are too silly. (b) Dogs beat cats as pets. (c) Plants need water. (d) Rainy days are fun.
14. 14.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Recycling is too hard to manage.” Reply: “Plastic comes in many colours.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
15. 15.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Regular homework helps students practise what they learned.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
16. 16.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
17. 17.🧐 Which word often signals an opinion? (a) Tuesday (b) metre (c) best (d) twelve
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Cartoons are too silly. (b) Chess is boring. (c) Bees make honey. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
19. 19.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Why trust Arjun on saving water? He has messy handwriting.” (a) false either/or (b) everyone does it (c) attacking the person (d) slippery slope
20. 20.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on homework: “Mount Everest is very tall.” (a) not specific (b) not reliable (c) not relevant
21. 21.True or false: In a debate on school gardens: “Cricket is popular in India.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.True or false: “but” gives a reason. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) as a result (b) this is because (c) for instance (d) for example
24. 24.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Long holidays help us rest.” Reply: “Let’s talk about something else instead.” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
28. 28.🔗 What does “this is because” do in an argument? (a) gives a reason (b) shows the other side (c) shows a result (d) adds an example
29. 29.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) a claim (b) reasoning (c) evidence
30. 30.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.True or false: measured results from our class experiment is weak evidence. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “Our school should have a library period every day.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: the school nurse’s record of sick days is weak evidence. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) an unsigned poster (b) a chat forward (c) the city water board (d) a guess
35. 35.True or false: “You can either study all day or play all day.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.🔗 “Homework helps us practise. ___, too much homework causes stress.” Which fits? (a) For instance (b) So (c) Because (d) However
38. 38.🛡️ 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
39. 39.⚖️ 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) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Pink is a lovely colour. (b) Earth orbits the Sun. (c) Science is exciting. (d) Chess is boring.

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