Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 770 · 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.⚖️ 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
2. 2.True or false: They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “You never read anything yourself.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Either we ban all snacks, or everyone will get sick.” (a) slippery slope (b) everyone does it (c) false either/or (d) attacking the person
4. 4.True or false: They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “With teachers watching and simple tools, it can be done safely.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Tara can’t be right about homework — she supports the other cricket team.” (a) false either/or (b) slippery slope (c) attacking the person (d) everyone does it
6. 6.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: “Everybody knows it.”? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
7. 7.True or false: They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “My mother makes very tasty dal.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🧩 What is evidence? (a) your loudest point (b) a guess (c) facts that back a claim (d) a rhyme
9. 9.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Homework builds the habit of working on your own.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
10. 10.🛡️ They said “Homework helps us practise.” Which reply answers this point? (a) you are a show-off (b) I like football (c) homework is boring (d) we can practise in class
11. 11.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Holidays give time for hobbies, reading and camps.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
12. 12.🔎 Which is more specific? (a) lots of students (b) 30 of 40 students
13. 13.🧩 What is the claim in an argument? (a) the point you argue (b) the judges’ marks (c) a number you found (d) a joke
14. 14.🔗 What does “on the other hand” do in an argument? (a) gives a reason (b) adds an example (c) shows a result (d) shows the other side
15. 15.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) such as (b) to give an example (c) so (d) the reason is
16. 16.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Children can already play sport after school.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
17. 17.🚩 How should you answer a fallacy in a debate? (a) copy it back (b) point it out calmly (c) ignore the judges (d) shout at them
18. 18.🔎 A fact about cricket in a debate on school uniforms is… (a) not relevant (b) very specific (c) very strong
19. 19.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Goodbye…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
20. 20.True or false: “If we let Class 7 use the ground once, they will take it over forever.” is a false either/or. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “therefore” shows a result. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Practice can happen in class, where the teacher can help.” (a) dodges the point (b) a fair rebuttal (c) attacks the person
23. 23.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on saving water: “My favourite colour is green.” (a) not reliable (b) not specific (c) not relevant
24. 24.True or false: They said “Long holidays help us rest.” Reply: “Let’s talk about something else instead.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “Everybody leaves the tap running, so it doesn’t matter.” is attacking the person. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Some students get bored after weeks with nothing to do.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
27. 27.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say why it matters or give your evidence? (a) say why it matters (b) give your evidence
28. 28.True or false: In a debate on sports periods: “Mangoes grow in summer.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “Everybody leaves the tap running, so it doesn’t matter.” is a slippery slope. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “A year has 12 months.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.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
32. 32.True or false: “A website with no name says so.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “Samosas are tastiest.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “It helps children help their families at home.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
35. 35.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Students should plant one tree every year.” (a) reasoning (b) evidence (c) a claim
36. 36.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “This shows that giving time to read helps students read more.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
37. 37.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Long breaks make students forget what they learned.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
38. 38.🔗 “Plastic harms animals. ___, cows often swallow plastic bags.” Which fits? (a) Therefore (b) For example (c) Because (d) However
39. 39.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A forwarded message says so.” (a) not relevant (b) not specific (c) not reliable
40. 40.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “If you miss one homework, you will fail every exam and never get a job.” (a) slippery slope (b) attacking the person (c) false either/or (d) everyone does it

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students