Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 816 · 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.True or false: “Ice is frozen water.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.Which linking word gives a reason? (a) therefore (b) because (c) on the other hand (d) but
3. 3.True or false: “Lots of students copy homework, so it is okay.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A lot of water gets wasted somewhere.” (a) not reliable (b) not relevant (c) not specific
5. 5.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) A triangle has 3 sides. (b) Plants need water. (c) Spiders have 8 legs. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
6. 6.🛡️ In a rebuttal, which comes first: say their point or say why it matters? (a) say their point (b) say why it matters
7. 7.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Everyone in my building bursts loud crackers, so it can’t be harmful.” (a) false either/or (b) attacking the person (c) everyone does it (d) slippery slope
8. 8.True or false: They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Anyway, I like football more than homework.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “Every school should have a daily sports period.” (a) a claim (b) evidence (c) reasoning
10. 10.🧐 How can you check a fact? (a) ask a stranger (b) use a reliable source (c) trust a rumour (d) guess
11. 11.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Everybody leaves the tap running, so it doesn’t matter.” (a) everyone does it (b) false either/or (c) slippery slope (d) attacking the person
12. 12.True or false: “Either the class is painted blue, or it will look terrible.” is a false either/or. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.True or false: They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “A short break for play helps students focus better afterwards.” — this attacks the person, not the point. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Ishaan wants a reading hour, but he is a show-off, so ignore him.” (a) attacking the person (b) slippery slope (c) everyone does it (d) false either/or
15. 15.🧐 Fact or opinion? “Kolkata is in India.” (a) an opinion (b) a fact
16. 16.🛡️ They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Which reply answers this point? (a) sport is popular (b) play helps us focus (c) you never play sport (d) I like lunch break
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Spiders have 8 legs. (b) Plants need water. (c) Kolkata is in India. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
18. 18.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “You only say that to please the teacher.” (a) attacks the person (b) a fair rebuttal (c) dodges the point
19. 19.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Chess is boring. (b) Cartoons are too silly. (c) Plants need water. (d) Mangoes taste best.
20. 20.True or false: “Everyone in my building bursts loud crackers, so it can’t be harmful.” is attacking the person. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Science is exciting. (b) Chess is boring. (c) Mangoes taste best. (d) A triangle has 3 sides.
22. 22.True or false: “Our class should start a recycling corner.” is reasoning — it links the evidence to the point. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.True or false: “although” adds an example. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
25. 25.True or false: “The school nurse recorded 25 small cuts and scrapes last term.” is evidence — a fact that backs the point. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “Earth orbits the Sun.” is a fact — it can be checked. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Holidays give time for hobbies, reading and camps.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: “Everybody knows it.”? (a) strong evidence (b) weak evidence
29. 29.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: the school nurse’s record of sick days? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
30. 30.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “Hello, everyone…” (b) “This shows that…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Goodbye…”
31. 31.True or false: “Ishaan wants a reading hour, but he is a show-off, so ignore him.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.True or false: “Our swimming coach’s register shows 18 of 20 beginners could float within a month.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.True or false: In a debate on school gardens: “Cricket is popular in India.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which linking word shows the other side? (a) due to (b) to give an example (c) on the other hand (d) as a result
35. 35.Which of these is a fact — it can be checked? (a) Puzzles are great fun. (b) Dogs beat cats as pets. (c) Frogs lay eggs. (d) Pink is a lovely colour.
36. 36.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
37. 37.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “The canteen sold 300 fruit cups in the week they cost ₹10.” (a) evidence (b) reasoning (c) a claim
38. 38.True or false: “You can either study all day or play all day.” is a false either/or. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.True or false: They said “Students won’t read in a reading hour.” Reply: “Libraries are quiet places.” — this dodges the point instead of answering it. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: They said “Sports periods waste study time.” Reply: “You just hate sport because you always lose.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) False (b) True

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