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: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 2.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “It helps children help their families at home.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 3.⚖️ 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
- 4.⚖️ 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
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 6.⚖️ 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
- 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Playing in teams teaches cooperation.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 8.⚖️ 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) True (b) False
- 9.⚖️ 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
- 10.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Optional homework would lower stress before exams.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 11.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which point is AGAINST the motion? (a) it takes subject time (b) exercise keeps us fit (c) teams teach cooperation
- 12.⚖️ 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
- 13.⚖️ The opposition argues… (a) against the motion (b) about another topic (c) for the motion
- 14.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Long holidays give time to visit grandparents and relatives.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 15.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Long breaks make students forget what they learned.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 16.⚖️ 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) False (b) True
- 17.⚖️ 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
- 18.⚖️ 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
- 19.⚖️ 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
- 20.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Daily exercise keeps children fit and healthy.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 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) True (b) False
- 22.⚖️ 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
- 23.⚖️ 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
- 24.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 25.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “The timetable is already full with core subjects.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 26.⚖️ 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) 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.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 28.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Playing in teams teaches cooperation.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 29.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Regular homework helps students practise what they learned.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 30.⚖️ 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
- 31.⚖️ 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) True (b) False
- 32.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Students would learn about healthy food.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 33.⚖️ 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
- 34.⚖️ 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
- 35.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Some children get no other chance to play sport.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 36.⚖️ 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) False (b) True
- 37.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Teachers use homework to see who needs extra help.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 38.⚖️ 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
- 39.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Homework builds the habit of working on your own.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 40.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Families could use evenings for hobbies and time together.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
Answer key
- against the motion
- False
- False
- for the motion
- True
- True
- for the motion
- False
- against the motion
- False
- it takes subject time
- for the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- for the motion
- True
- against the motion
- False
- for the motion
- for the motion
- False
- against the motion
- against the motion
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- for the motion
- False
- False
- False
- False
- for the motion
- False
- against the motion
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
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