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.⚖️ The opposition argues… (a) against the motion (b) for the motion (c) about another topic
- 2.⚖️ 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
- 3.⚖️ 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) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 4.⚖️ 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
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 6.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Hot stoves and knives can be risky for young students.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 8.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Children need free time to play and rest after school.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 9.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is better learned at home with family.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 10.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 11.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Some students get bored after weeks with nothing to do.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 12.⚖️ 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) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 13.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Playing in teams teaches cooperation.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 14.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 15.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A break from desks helps students focus better afterwards.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 16.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Long breaks make students forget what they learned.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 17.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Children can already play sport after school.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 18.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “A daily sports period would take time from other subjects.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 19.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 20.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “A break from desks helps students focus better afterwards.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 21.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Children need free time to play and rest after school.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 22.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Regular homework helps students practise what they learned.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 23.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Some children get no other chance to play sport.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 24.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Students would learn about healthy food.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 25.⚖️ 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
- 26.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) kids need time to rest (b) practice needs homework (c) teachers check homework
- 27.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Summer is too hot in many parts of India for classes.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 28.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Homework builds the habit of working on your own.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 29.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Teachers use homework to see who needs extra help.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 30.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 31.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 32.⚖️ The proposition argues… (a) about another topic (b) for the motion (c) against the motion
- 33.⚖️ 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
- 34.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Hot stoves and knives can be risky for young students.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 35.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) we forget in long breaks (b) time with grandparents (c) kids need a long rest
- 36.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Extra school days could be used for clubs and projects.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 37.⚖️ 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) True (b) False
- 38.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Regular homework helps students practise what they learned.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 39.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Many schools do not have a big enough playground.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 40.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Children need a long rest to come back fresh.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
Answer key
- against the motion
- for the motion
- against the motion
- True
- for the motion
- against the motion
- False
- for the motion
- True
- False
- False
- against the motion
- for the motion
- against the motion
- for the motion
- True
- against the motion
- True
- True
- True
- False
- against the motion
- False
- for the motion
- for the motion
- kids need time to rest
- against the motion
- False
- against the motion
- False
- True
- for the motion
- for the motion
- against the motion
- we forget in long breaks
- for the motion
- False
- False
- True
- True
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