Writing a concession and rebuttal

Question 1

Claim: "Cities should ban cars from their historic centres." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Shopkeepers are always wrong about everything.
• B. Cars are noisy.
• C. Although some shops fear losing customers, several cities found that footfall actually rose after their centres went car-free.
• D. Although some shops fear losing customers, they are right, so we should not ban cars.

Question 2

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models, so they shouldn't be.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 3

Claim: "Homework should be optional in secondary school." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Some people think homework is good, and they are right.
• B. Homework is boring and nobody likes it.
• C. Homework should be optional because I said so.
• D. Admittedly, homework can build independent study habits; however, the same habits can be built through optional projects that students actually choose.

Question 4

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Cities should ban cars from their historic centres." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Although some shops fear losing customers, they are right, so we should not ban cars.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 5

Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Athletes are famous.
• B. All athletes are bad role models.
• C. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models; nevertheless, their huge influence on young fans brings a responsibility they cannot simply ignore.
• D. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models, so they shouldn't be.

Question 6

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Students should be allowed to use AI tools for homework." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Critics are right that AI can be used to avoid thinking; however, clear rules and assignments that ask students to explain their process can turn it into a tool for learning.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 7

Claim: "Schools should teach financial literacy." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Money is important.
• B. It is true that the timetable is crowded, yet a few lessons a year on budgeting could save students from costly mistakes for decades.
• C. The timetable is crowded, so we cannot teach anything new.
• D. Everyone should be rich.

Question 8

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Cities should ban cars from their historic centres." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Although some shops fear losing customers, several cities found that footfall actually rose after their centres went car-free.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 9

Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models, so they shouldn't be.
• B. All athletes are bad role models.
• C. Athletes are famous.
• D. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models; nevertheless, their huge influence on young fans brings a responsibility they cannot simply ignore.

Question 10

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models, so they shouldn't be.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 11

Claim: "Museums should be free for everyone." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Museums are full of old things.
• B. While free entry costs money to fund, it pays back by attracting visitors who spend in cafés, shops and the wider city.
• C. Free entry is good because free things are good.
• D. While free entry costs money, money is not important at all.

Question 12

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Museums should be free for everyone." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → While free entry costs money to fund, it pays back by attracting visitors who spend in cafés, shops and the wider city.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 13

Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. All athletes are bad role models.
• B. Athletes are famous.
• C. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models; nevertheless, their huge influence on young fans brings a responsibility they cannot simply ignore.
• D. Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models, so they shouldn't be.

Question 14

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Students should be allowed to use AI tools for homework." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → AI is the future, so critics are wrong.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 15

Claim: "Museums should be free for everyone." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Museums are full of old things.
• B. Free entry is good because free things are good.
• C. While free entry costs money, money is not important at all.
• D. While free entry costs money to fund, it pays back by attracting visitors who spend in cafés, shops and the wider city.

Question 16

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Homework should be optional in secondary school." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Admittedly, homework can build independent study habits; however, the same habits can be built through optional projects that students actually choose.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct