Oh my, you do have quite a handful there! It sounds like he's talking his way out of doing things - does he do that with other tasks not related to learning? Just like anything else, it's a habit that's being built and it sounds like he's being rewarded for this type of behavior by not having to do it? I'm just spitballing here, but maybe some type of disciplinary action if he's doing this on a regular basis. You obviously have to be careful with that, but I'd probably do something that made it clear he won't get his way by bickering with authority figures. Of course, you don't want to entirely squash that type of thinking, it can be a good thing when done respectfully, but questioning everything all the time ... a bit much.