Final answer:
Debussy's piano works are of great importance in the piano repertoire and are far from being of little significance. His impressionist pieces are celebrated for their innovative styles and enduring influence on the development of modern music.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question Debussy's piano works are of little importance in the piano repertoire is false. Claude Debussy's compositions are highly significant within the piano repertoire, and his impressionist works heralded a new era in music. Debussy's piano pieces, such as 'Clair de Lune' from Suite Bergamasque, 'La Cathédrale engloutie' from Préludes, and 'L'Isle joyeuse', are not only popular among pianists but also influential in the development of modern music. These works demonstrate innovative harmonic techniques, textures, and use of the full range of the piano, marking a departure from Romantic music traditions and laying the groundwork for 20th-century music.