Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 767 · 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.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the attendance register for the whole year? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
2. 2.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
4. 4.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Lots of students copy homework, so it is okay.” (a) attacking the person (b) slippery slope (c) everyone does it (d) false either/or
5. 5.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Teachers use homework to see who needs extra help.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
6. 6.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) on the other hand (b) but (c) due to (d) for example
7. 7.True or false: an unsigned post with no source is weak evidence. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
9. 9.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) False (b) True
10. 10.🛡️ 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) a fair rebuttal (c) attacks the person
11. 11.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “A garden costs too much.” Reply: “You can’t even grow a cactus, so who cares?” (a) dodges the point (b) attacks the person (c) a fair rebuttal
12. 12.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
13. 13.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Some students get bored after weeks with nothing to do.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
14. 14.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
15. 15.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it matters or say their point? (a) say why it matters (b) say their point
16. 16.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Recycling is too hard to manage.” Reply: “Two labelled bins and one monitor per class make it simple.” (a) attacks the person (b) a fair rebuttal (c) dodges the point
17. 17.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “Lots of students like it.” (a) not reliable (b) not specific (c) not relevant
18. 18.🛡️ A good rebuttal attacks… (a) the argument (b) the speaker (c) the audience (d) the judges
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Homework is dull. (b) Plants need water. (c) Kolkata is in India. (d) A triangle has 3 sides.
20. 20.🚩 Which fallacy claims one small step will surely lead to a disaster? (a) attacking the person (b) everyone does it (c) slippery slope (d) false either/or
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) The Moon orbits Earth. (b) Ice is frozen water. (c) Pink is a lovely colour. (d) Plants need water.
22. 22.🚩 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
23. 23.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “Libraries are quiet places.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) dodges the point (c) attacks the person
24. 24.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Puzzles are great fun.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
25. 25.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) a joke (b) the judges’ marks (c) a number you found (d) the point you argue
26. 26.True or false: “Dogs beat cats as pets.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “Your point about recycling is wrong because you are only in Class 6.” is attacking the person. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.True or false: In a debate on saving water: “My favourite colour is green.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “Lots of students like it.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “Ishaan wants a reading hour, but he is a show-off, so ignore him.” is attacking the person. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on homework: “Mount Everest is very tall.” (a) not relevant (b) not specific (c) not reliable
32. 32.True or false: “Frogs lay eggs.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Science is exciting. (b) Bees make honey. (c) Samosas are tastiest. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
34. 34.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) such as (b) so (c) the reason is (d) that is why
35. 35.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Don’t listen to Kabir’s idea about the canteen — he can’t even tie his shoelaces.” (a) attacking the person (b) everyone does it (c) slippery slope (d) false either/or
36. 36.True or false: “Rainy days are fun.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Chess is boring. (b) Homework is dull. (c) Pink is a lovely colour. (d) Ice is frozen water.
38. 38.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Why trust Arjun on saving water? He has messy handwriting.” (a) attacking the person (b) false either/or (c) everyone does it (d) slippery slope
39. 39.🚩 What is a fallacy? (a) a mistake in reasoning (b) a debate rule (c) a polite reply (d) a strong piece of proof
40. 40.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False

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