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.
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- 1.⚖️ 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
- 2.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Teachers use homework to see who needs extra help.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 3.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Some students get bored after weeks with nothing to do.” supports the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 4.⚖️ 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
- 5.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which point is AGAINST the motion? (a) it takes subject time (b) teams teach cooperation (c) exercise keeps us fit
- 6.⚖️ The proposition argues… (a) against the motion (b) for the motion (c) about another topic
- 7.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking teaches measuring, timing and safety.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 8.⚖️ 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
- 9.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Playing in teams teaches cooperation.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 10.⚖️ 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
- 11.⚖️ 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
- 12.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Children can already play sport after school.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 13.⚖️ 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) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 14.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “A long school day leaves no room for another period.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 15.⚖️ 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
- 16.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Holidays give time for hobbies, reading and camps.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 17.⚖️ 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
- 18.⚖️ 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
- 19.⚖️ 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) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 20.⚖️ 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
- 21.⚖️ 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
- 22.⚖️ 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
- 23.⚖️ 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
- 24.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “The timetable is already full with core subjects.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 25.⚖️ The opposition argues… (a) for the motion (b) about another topic (c) against the motion
- 26.⚖️ 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
- 27.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Hot stoves and knives can be risky for young students.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 28.⚖️ 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
- 29.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
- 30.⚖️ 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
- 31.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which point is FOR the motion? (a) practice needs homework (b) teachers check homework (c) kids need time to rest
- 32.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Daily exercise keeps children fit and healthy.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
- 33.⚖️ 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
- 34.⚖️ 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
- 35.⚖️ 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
- 36.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” Which side does this point support? “Shorter holidays would spread lessons out and reduce the rush.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 37.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” True or false: the point “Some children get no other chance to play sport.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 38.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “Cooking is a life skill everyone needs.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
- 39.⚖️ Motion: “Summer holidays should be shorter.” True or false: the point “Holidays give time for hobbies, reading and camps.” supports the motion. (a) False (b) True
- 40.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” True or false: the point “Families could use evenings for hobbies and time together.” opposes the motion. (a) True (b) False
Answer key
- for the motion
- True
- True
- against the motion
- it takes subject time
- for the motion
- for the motion
- False
- False
- against the motion
- False
- True
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- for the motion
- we forget in long breaks
- against the motion
- against the motion
- against the motion
- True
- against the motion
- True
- True
- False
- False
- against the motion
- kids need time to rest
- for the motion
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
- for the motion
- True
- for the motion
- False
- False
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