How to debate effectively
  • 1. What is the primary goal of a debate?
A) Intimidate your opponent
B) Persuade the audience or judge
C) Simply state your opinion
D) Win at all costs
  • 2. What is a crucial element of a strong argument?
A) Volume and speed
B) Emotional appeals only
C) Evidence and reasoning
D) Personal attacks
  • 3. What is 'burden of proof' in a debate?
A) The length of your speech
B) The ability to interrupt
C) The right to speak first
D) The obligation to prove your claim
  • 4. What is a fallacy?
A) A personal belief
B) A flawed reasoning or argument
C) A type of evidence
D) A strong supporting fact
  • 5. What does 'rebuttal' mean in debate?
A) Responding to and disproving an argument
B) Repeating your own points
C) Agreeing with the opponent
D) Ignoring the opponent's points
  • 6. Which of the following is NOT a common type of evidence?
A) Expert testimony
B) Anecdotes
C) Statistics
D) Personal opinion
  • 7. What is 'ad hominem'?
A) Attacking the person, not the argument
B) Summarizing your points
C) Supporting your claim with data
D) Acknowledging a weakness in your argument
  • 8. What is the purpose of cross-examination?
A) To give a speech
B) To make personal attacks
C) To clarify and challenge the opponent's arguments
D) To praise the opponent
  • 9. What does 'rhetoric' refer to?
A) Ignoring the audience
B) The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
C) The act of yelling loudly
D) Using complex jargon
  • 10. Why is it important to listen actively during a debate?
A) To prepare your next speech without hearing them
B) Because it is polite.
C) To understand and respond to the opponent's arguments
D) To interrupt the opponent
  • 11. What is a 'straw man' fallacy?
A) Ignoring the opponent's argument
B) Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack
C) Using a physical straw man as a prop
D) Building a logical argument
  • 12. What is the 'bandwagon' fallacy?
A) Arguing that something is true because it's popular
B) Following traffic laws
C) Playing music during a debate
D) A logical deduction
  • 13. What is the 'slippery slope' fallacy?
A) Arguing that one event will inevitably lead to a series of negative consequences
B) A well-supported argument
C) Walking on ice
D) A quick decision
  • 14. Why is structure important in a debate speech?
A) To make your arguments clear and easy to follow
B) Because it is required
C) To make the speech longer
D) To confuse the audience
  • 15. What is a 'counter-argument'?
A) Agreeing with the opponent
B) A type of physical force
C) Ignoring the opponent
D) An argument presented to oppose or refute another argument
  • 16. What is the importance of eye contact in a debate?
A) To connect with the audience and appear confident
B) It's not important.
C) To avoid thinking
D) To intimidate the opponent
  • 17. What is the role of 'ethos' in persuasion?
A) Using only emotional appeals
B) Establishing credibility and trust with the audience
C) Ignoring the audience
D) Making personal attacks
  • 18. What is the role of 'logos' in persuasion?
A) Using logic and reasoning to support your arguments
B) Making personal attacks
C) Using only emotional appeals
D) Ignoring the audience
  • 19. What is the role of 'pathos' in persuasion?
A) Using only logic and reasoning
B) Appealing to the emotions of the audience
C) Ignoring the audience
D) Making personal attacks
  • 20. Which of the following is a good way to start a debate speech?
A) Apologize for your position.
B) Clearly state your position and outline your main arguments.
C) Start with a personal attack.
D) Read a prepared statement without looking up.
  • 21. What is the importance of summarizing your arguments in a debate?
A) To reinforce your key points and leave a lasting impression.
B) To make the speech longer
C) To confuse the audience.
D) Because it is required
  • 22. What is the proper way to address the judge in a debate?
A) Use casual language and slang.
B) Use formal titles, like 'Madam/Mr. Judge' or 'Your Honor'.
C) Ignore the judge.
D) Call them by their first name.
  • 23. Why is it important to cite your sources in a debate?
A) To confuse the audience.
B) Because it is required
C) To establish credibility and avoid plagiarism.
D) To make the speech longer
  • 24. What is the difference between fact and opinion?
A) A fact is a verifiable statement, while an opinion is a belief.
B) They are the same thing.
C) Facts are always wrong.
D) Facts are unimportant, while opinions are crucial.
  • 25. What is the 'red herring' fallacy?
A) A well-supported argument
B) Eating seafood during a debate.
C) A type of fish.
D) Introducing an irrelevant topic to distract from the main issue.
  • 26. What is the purpose of a concluding statement in a debate?
A) To attack the opponent one last time.
B) To introduce new arguments.
C) To apologize for any mistakes.
D) To summarize your main points and reiterate your position.
  • 27. How should you handle it if you don't know the answer to a question?
A) Acknowledge you don't know, but offer to research the topic and respond later.
B) Ignore the question.
C) Attack the person asking the question.
D) Make up an answer.
  • 28. What is 'argument from authority'?
A) Always trusting authority figures
B) Logical Deduction
C) Disregarding all expert opinions
D) Claiming something is true simply because an authority figure said so, without sufficient evidence.
  • 29. What is the benefit of practicing your debate speeches?
A) It makes your speech sound robotic.
B) It wastes time.
C) Improved delivery, confidence, and time management.
D) Increased anxiety.
  • 30. What is the most important quality of a good debater?
A) The ability to think critically and argue persuasively.
B) The ability to shout the loudest.
C) Physical Strength
D) The ability to memorize information.
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