Debate Worksheet: Points For and Against
Debater's tip (Agree or disagree?): Read the motion carefully, then ask: does this point make the motion more true or less true? For the motion = the proposition’s point. Against the motion = the opposition’s point. Before a debate, list three points for and three against — you will need to answer the other side.
NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
- 1.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Homework builds the habit of working on your own.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 2.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A daily sports period would take time from other subjects.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 3.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 4.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “A long school day leaves no room for another period.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Summer is too hot in many parts of India for classes.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 6.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which point is AGAINST the motion? (a) cooking is a life skill (b) we learn healthy food (c) kitchens cost a lot
- 8.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) time with grandparents (b) kids need a long rest (c) we forget in long breaks
- 9.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 10.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 11.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “The timetable is already full with core subjects.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 12.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Students would learn about healthy food.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 13.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 14.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 15.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 16.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 17.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Long holidays give time to visit grandparents and relatives.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 18.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Some students get bored after weeks with nothing to do.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 19.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 20.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Children can already play sport after school.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 21.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Many schools do not have a big enough playground.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 22.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Holidays give time for hobbies, reading and camps.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 23.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 24.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “A daily sports period would take time from other subjects.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 25.⚖️ The proposition argues… (a) against the motion (b) for the motion (c) about another topic
- 26.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 27.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 28.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 29.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A long school day leaves no room for another period.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 30.⚖️ The opposition argues… (a) for the motion (b) against the motion (c) about another topic
- 31.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Students would learn about healthy food.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 32.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Long breaks make students forget what they learned.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 33.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) practice needs homework (b) kids need time to rest (c) teachers check homework
- 34.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 35.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Children need free time to play and rest after school.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 36.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 37.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Many schools do not have a big enough playground.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 38.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking is better learned at home with family.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 39.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Summer is too hot in many parts of India for classes.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 40.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Students who are keen will still choose to practise at home.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
Answer key
- against the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- False
- against the motion
- False
- kitchens cost a lot
- we forget in long breaks
- against the motion
- for the motion
- against the motion
- for the motion
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
- True
- against the motion
- for the motion
- against the motion
- False
- False
- against the motion
- False
- False
- for the motion
- False
- False
- True
- against the motion
- against the motion
- False
- for the motion
- kids need time to rest
- True
- True
- for the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- True
- for the motion
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