+250 Debate Topics

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Debate topics are a fun and exciting way for ESL students to express their opinion on various topics.

These debate topics are primarily targeted towards intermediate and advanced level students, but there are also some that would be suitable for beginners although generally a more structured conversation class is recommended for A1 or A2 level students.

How To Use These Topics

Each topic has a statement that your student needs to argue for or against.

You can of course ask them to decide for themselves whether they agree with the statement or not and give reasons why. However, by giving telling them that they have to argue either for or against the statement tends to produce free the student up from the confines of their own personal opinion and encourages them to be more creative and use more vocabulary.

As they are not giving their own personal opinion this also makes the whole activity more fun and many learners will come up with very funny arguments.

The debate topics are in no particular and are a great way to kick off or finish a class. Or you could just spend the whole class dedicated to debating.

An ideal lesson would consist of going through some focused conversation topics and finishing off with some fun debates or games.

Debate Topics

1
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
creating a bucket list is pointless
2
Argue FOR the statement below:
Governments should provide financial incentives to businesses that hire individuals with disabilities.
3
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Government support for startups is essential for fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth
4
Argue FOR the statement below:
Success should be measured by the impact one has on others rather than personal achievements
5
Argue FOR the statement below:
Affirmative action should be replaced with merit-based policies
6
Argue FOR the statement below:
AI will make humans less intelligent
7
Argue FOR the statement below:
Cities should prioritise investment in alternative modes of transportation
8
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Too much emphasis on individual freedom can lead to chaos and instability in society
9
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Parents should be held legally responsible for their child's cyberbullying behaviour
10
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is easier to develop good habits as a child than as an adult
11
Argue FOR the statement below:
Bad habits are more prevalent in modern society
12
Argue FOR the statement below:
Parents should be legally required to take a course on child psychology and development before having children
13
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Empathy is the most important trait for building successful relationships with others
14
Argue FOR the statement below:
Governments should implement strict population control policies to tackle overpopulation
15
Argue FOR the statement below:
Affirmative action for women is necessary for workplace equality
16
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Small businesses should be given government funding to catch up with larger corporations in terms of technological advancements.
17
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Procrastination is a symptom of poor time management, rather than a character flaw
18
Argue FOR the statement below:
Lying is never justified, even if it is done to spare someone's feelings or protect oneself from harm.
19
Argue FOR the statement below:
Eating dinner as a family at the dinner table should be mandatory for all households.
20
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Museums should always offer free admission to encourage more people to engage with art, history and culture
21
Argue FOR the statement below:
Unemployment benefits should be time-limited to incentivize individuals to find work and reduce dependence on government assistance.
22
Argue FOR the statement below:
April Fool's Day is dangerous and offensive
23
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Star Wars is better than Star Trek
24
Argue FOR the statement below:
It's better for businesses to raise finance through debt than profits
25
Argue FOR the statement below:
Spring is the best season of the year
26
Argue FOR the statement below:
Everyone can benefit from taking cold showers
27
Argue FOR the statement below:
Families should look after their elderly relatives
28
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Taxi drivers should be required to undergo regular drug and alcohol testing to ensure the safety of passengers.
29
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Renting furniture is a more sustainable option than buying furniture
30
Argue FOR the statement below:
The government should provide free college education instead of offering student loans
31
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Remote work negatively affects workers mental health
32
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Road trips are a more environmentally friendly way to travel compared to flying.
33
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Fashion is more important to women than men
34
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Social media has had a more positive impact than negative on the social skills and relationships of Generation Z
35
Argue FOR the statement below:
Individuals who have experienced trauma should always confront their fears
36
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
ponzi schemes should not be illegal
37
Argue FOR the statement below:
Zoos are the best place for children to learn about animals
38
Argue FOR the statement below:
Sandwiches should only be for children
39
Argue FOR the statement below:
People should still go to work when feeling under the weather
40
Argue FOR the statement below:
Camping for the weekend is better than staying in a hotel
41
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Countries should have a moral obligation to accept refugees
42
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Astrology is not a legitimate belief system
43
Argue FOR the statement below:
NFTs will be commonplace in the future
44
Argue FOR the statement below:
All law enforcement officers should be required to wear body cameras
45
Argue FOR the statement below:
Using a textbook is the best way to start learning a new language
46
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The negatives of drinking coffee on a daily basis outweigh the positives
47
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
There should be no limitations on freedom of speech
48
Argue FOR the statement below:
Beauty is a reflection of the soul
49
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Graffiti is an art
50
Argue FOR the statement below:
Alternative medicine should be combined with conventional medicine
51
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Singing increases our confidence
52
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It doesn't take a lot of skill or knowledge to be an interior designer
53
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Karaoke is not a good way to improve confidence
54
Argue FOR the statement below:
Japanese food is the healthiest in the world
55
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Winter is the best season of the year
56
Argue FOR the statement below:
People would be healthier if they grew their own fruit and vegetables
57
Argue FOR the statement below:
Festivals are a good way to meet people
58
Argue FOR the statement below:
Gambling should be illegal
59
Argue FOR the statement below:
Goals help us determine what we want in life
60
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Designer clothes are overpriced
61
Argue FOR the statement below:
Golf is a sport for old people
62
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The best way to learn English at school is with a text book
63
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People shouldn't be allowed to own more than one car?
64
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
War is a necessary evil for human existence
65
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Being rich is better than being poor
66
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Angry is the most difficult emotion to control
67
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People who are very emotional will be less successful in life
68
Argue FOR the statement below:
It is better to buy one expensive shirt rather than 10 cheap shirts
69
Argue FOR the statement below:
It is better to have a shower in the morning rather than the evening
70
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The most important thing to consider when choosing a career path to follow is money
71
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
More people should embrace halloween and celebrate it!
72
Argue FOR the statement below:
in general, airport security is too strict
73
Argue FOR the statement below:
Having too many hobbies is not a good thing
74
Argue FOR the statement below:
Gender inequality no longer exists in the US
75
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Society would be better without YouTube
76
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day
77
Argue FOR the statement below:
It's better to have a birthday in the summer rather than the winter
78
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The best way to stop a bully is by physical violence
79
Argue FOR the statement below:
The best way to stop crime is by severely punishing the criminals.
80
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People shouldn't give advice if they haven't been asked
81
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Living near the beach is better than living in a city
82
Argue FOR the statement below:
Basketball is a boring sport
83
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People who fall for scams deserve everything they get
84
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Dreams can help us solve problems in our lives
85
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Reading books is the best way to learn new things
86
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Robots taking over jobs that humans used to do is a good thing
87
Argue FOR the statement below:
There is nothing wrong with a man ordering for a woman in a restaurant
88
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who spend time to plan their day out are more productive
89
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Pizza is not only tasty, but can also be healthy as well
90
Argue FOR the statement below:
Facial recognition technology should be common place in all towns and cities
91
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Camping is a great way to de-stress
92
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who journal every day are happier
93
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is better to take a bath instead of a shower
94
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The differences between men and women in society are purely created through social constructs
95
Argue FOR the statement below:
It's better to exercise in the morning than in the evening
96
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Rainy days are more relaxing than sunny days
97
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Most people would be vegetarian if they had to kill the animals themselves
98
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People will eat less meat and more bugs in the future
99
Argue FOR the statement below:
Gymnastics is a dangerous activity to do
100
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Having pets helps children learn about responsibility
101
Argue FOR the statement below:
Walking for two hours every day will improve your life
102
Argue FOR the statement below:
In-person activities are better at connecting people together than online actvities
103
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is better to go out on Friday night than Saturday night
104
Argue FOR the statement below:
Drinking mineral water is healthier than drinking tap water
105
Argue FOR the statement below:
Music concerts are too expensive
106
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Self-study is a better way to learn than studying with a tutor
107
Argue FOR the statement below:
Modern music is influenced by music from the past
108
Argue FOR the statement below:
Life is more difficult for a child now than 50 years ago
109
Argue FOR the statement below:
Yoga is healthier than running
110
Argue FOR the statement below:
Living in a town is better than living in the countryside
111
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Doctors should get paid more
112
Argue FOR the statement below:
A one world government would improve society
113
Argue FOR the statement below:
People should do more to look after the town where they live
114
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is not important to go to university nowadays
115
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People should have a minimum of 40 days holiday per year
116
Argue FOR the statement below:
Tidy people are happier people
117
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It's better to take regular short holidays than one long holiday
118
Argue FOR the statement below:
Children shouldn't have to worry about looking after the environment
119
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The area where you live is more important than the actual house
120
Argue FOR the statement below:
Most people don't care enough about the environment
121
Argue FOR the statement below:
People complain too much nowadays
122
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is everyone's responsibility to report people to the authorities who are working illegally
123
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is easier to learn a new language when you are young
124
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Going for a long walk in the winter is better than going for a long walk in the summer
125
Argue FOR the statement below:
If you are scared to do something you should not do it
126
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People were more friendly in the past
127
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People who commit fraud should not be sent to prison
128
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The vegan diet is not natural for humans
129
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
School children should be separated based on their ability
130
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Blogs are a waste of time for the majority of businesses
131
Argue FOR the statement below:
Living in a house is better than living in a flat
132
Argue FOR the statement below:
Email is still the best way to communicate with work colleagues
133
Argue FOR the statement below:
Spring is the best season
134
Argue FOR the statement below:
A private healthcare system is better than a public healthcare system
135
Argue FOR the statement below:
You should also start selling a product before it is actually made
136
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Most retail shops wouldn't survive without Christmas
137
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
If you start a small local business you will most likely fail
138
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Parents protect their children too much nowadays
139
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Working on our mental health is more important than working on our physical health
140
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Businesses should not be allowed to ask your age when you are applying for a job
141
Argue FOR the statement below:
Chinese is the best language to learn for the future
142
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who exercise in a gym get better results than those exercising at home
143
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
All drugs should be legal
144
Argue FOR the statement below:
The majority of people won't be able to read in 100 years
145
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Banks are not a safe place to keep your money
146
Argue FOR the statement below:
Online businesses are the riskiest businesses to start
147
Argue FOR the statement below:
Businesses should be able to make people redundant without having to pay them any compensation
148
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Online meetings are less productive than in-person meetings
149
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Having a quick drink to calm your nerves before an interview is a good idea
150
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The age to vote should be 25
151
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The US is the best country to live in
152
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Finding love was easier 50 years ago
153
Argue FOR the statement below:
No one decides who to vote for based on the presidential debates before an election in the US
154
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
School children should learn about winning and losing from a young age
155
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People should always try to visit different countries
156
Argue FOR the statement below:
Team sports are better for children to play than individual sports
157
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It's better to watch football on TV that in a stadium
158
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Police shouldn't carry guns
159
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The atmosphere in a restaurant is just as important as the food
160
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Films were better 20 years ago
161
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Children shouldn't have to do chores around the house
162
Argue FOR the statement below:
Pens and pencils will be obsolete in 20 years
163
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Testing on animals should be illegal
164
Argue FOR the statement below:
Lockdowns during pandemics do more harm than good
165
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It was easier to succeed in the music industry 50 years ago
166
Argue FOR the statement below:
Clothes are better now than in the past
167
Argue FOR the statement below:
Allowing people to vote by mail is a bad idea
168
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Playing computer games is a waste of time
169
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People shouldn't trust the mainstream media
170
Argue FOR the statement below:
Exercising is the best way to relax during the weekend
171
Argue FOR the statement below:
Social media networks should be held responsible for their users' content
172
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Investing in stocks and shares is not different to betting on football or other sports
173
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Everyone should change their passwords every six weeks
174
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
If children want to succeed they must go to university
175
Argue FOR the statement below:
It's more important who you know than what you know
176
Argue FOR the statement below:
Mobile phones should be banned at schools
177
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Offline marketing is still more effective than online marketing
178
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Most children are spoiled nowadays
179
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
White privilege doesn't exist
180
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Olympic athletes do not get the credit they deserve when compared to others sports men and women
181
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Being stressed over work is a good thing
182
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Going to the supermarket is better than shopping online for groceries
183
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
If a customer is angry it's always best to give them what they want
184
Argue FOR the statement below:
Children who use electronic devices all the time will never succeed in life
185
Argue FOR the statement below:
The customer is always right
186
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Taking an afternoon nap makes us more productive
187
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People won't need to learn foreign languages in the future
188
Argue FOR the statement below:
Marriage is not as important as it was in the past
189
Argue FOR the statement below:
Autosuggestion techniques are useless
190
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
A healthy diet is not the same for everybody
191
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who don't pay their tax should be sent to prison
192
Argue FOR the statement below:
Self-driving cars will never become commonplace
193
Argue FOR the statement below:
Our lives would improve if we didn't have social media
194
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It's more difficult to get a promotion if you work from home
195
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Compulsory military service will make everyone a better person
196
Argue FOR the statement below:
Religion has no place in schools
197
Argue FOR the statement below:
Women taking their husband's name after marriage is a pointless thing to do
198
Argue FOR the statement below:
Online fitness classes will be more common than in-person classes in 20 years
199
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Children who where a uniform to school produce better results
200
Argue FOR the statement below:
Bitcoin is just a scam
201
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Cannabis should be legal
202
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Camping is a great way to destress
203
Argue FOR the statement below:
The government should not give financial help to people who decide to have children
204
Argue FOR the statement below:
Watching sport is a waste of time
205
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The theatre is better than the cinema
206
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Children who play a musical instrument have a much greater capacity for learning
207
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Children should do at least one hour of exercise at school every day
208
Argue FOR the statement below:
Exercising in the gym is better than exercising outside
209
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
All students should take a gap year before going to university
210
Argue FOR the statement below:
Inheritance tax should be abolished
211
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Holidays abroad are overrated
212
Argue FOR the statement below:
Doctors should not be allowed to prescribe anti-depressant drugs to anyone under the age of 18
213
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Food was much more natural and healthier 100 years ago
214
Argue FOR the statement below:
Challenging ourselves make us better people
215
Argue FOR the statement below:
Social media platforms have a duty to censor content
216
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Two party voting systems like in the US are better than multi-party voting systems
217
Argue FOR the statement below:
People are happier when the sun is shining
218
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
There is no such thing as luck
219
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Face masks cause more harm than good
220
Argue FOR the statement below:
Listening to music while exercising will make you train harder
221
Argue FOR the statement below:
There is no difference between eating a chicken and eating a dog
222
Argue FOR the statement below:
Social media is dangerous for society
223
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The most important thing to consider when thinking about moving home is the location
224
Argue FOR the statement below:
The diet of children nowadays is the worst it has ever been
225
Argue FOR the statement below:
Only people who pay taxes should receive free health care
226
Argue FOR the statement below:
People would be happier if they spent more time outside
227
Argue FOR the statement below:
Lockdowns by the government should be illegal
228
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
People who harm animals should be given the same punishment as if they had harmed a human
229
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The piano is the best musical instrument to play
230
Argue FOR the statement below:
The society is less racist now than 50 years ago
231
Argue FOR the statement below:
Self-confidence is natural and something you cannot learn
232
Argue FOR the statement below:
The legal age for drinking alcohol should be 25
233
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Buying property is no longer a safe investment
234
Argue FOR the statement below:
The US doesn't have a racism problem
235
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
English is the easiest language to learn
236
Argue FOR the statement below:
Giving handouts to people in poverty will not help them in the long run
237
Argue FOR the statement below:
It is easier to learn a foreign language when you're a child
238
Argue FOR the statement below:
There is never an excuse not to exercise
239
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Religions should have to pay taxes the same as businesses have to
240
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Having plants in the home makes people happier
241
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who don't go on holiday at least once a year are more likely to suffer from depression
242
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Being a politician is the best job in the world
243
Argue FOR the statement below:
Meditation is the best way to start the day
244
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
There should not be a minimum wage
245
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
It is better to grow up in a big city
246
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Children should have to earn their pocket money
247
Argue FOR the statement below:
Mobile phones are destroying the family dynamic
248
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Alcohol is more harmful than marjuana
249
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Rock climbing is the most dangerous sport you can do
250
Argue FOR the statement below:
Saunas are pointless
251
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Violence towards politicians is not always unjustified
252
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
All children should be taught to look after the environment from a young age
253
Argue FOR the statement below:
People who abuse animals should be thrown in jail
254
Argue FOR the statement below:
Maths is the most important subject for a child to learn at school
255
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Most people would prefer to spend time with friends rather than family
256
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Children had more fun at school 50 years ago
257
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Audio books are better than traditional books
258
Argue FOR the statement below:
Online grocery shopping is better than going to the supermarket
259
Argue FOR the statement below:
Delivering leaflets at people's homes is still a great way to advertise
260
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Running regulary is actually bad for your health
261
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Famous people don't have a right to complain about privacy
262
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School children under the age of 10 should not be given homework
263
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Abortion should be illegal
264
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Capital punishment should be brought back for murderers
265
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The best way to get people to become vegan is show them the suffering of animals
266
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Climate change isn't a real problem
267
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Money is the best way to keep employees motivated
268
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Having fresh juice on a daily basis is good for our health
269
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Our education system is outdated and has little benefit to today's society
270
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Organic food is too expensive
271
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Beach holidays are the best
272
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Social media addiction is worse than drug addiction
273
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Plastic surgery is bad for society
274
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Facebook is the best place to advertise a local business
275
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Bullfighting in Spain is a tradition and should not be banned
276
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It is better to have a strict morning routine rather than be flexible
277
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Footballers are paid too much
278
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There is nothing wrong with eating a low carb diet
279
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Holidays are a time to try new and adventurous activities
280
Argue FOR the statement below:
Spring is the best time of year to go on holiday
281
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Social media does more harm than good
282
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Cash will not exist in ten years
283
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People should always wear sun cream when in the sun for more than 5 minutes
284
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Dogs are better pets than cats
285
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Ghosts are not real
286
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Women are no longer discriminated against in the workplace
287
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Eating out is always better than eating in
288
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People watch too much TV nowadays
289
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Winning the lottery will create more problems in your life
290
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Vegtables are healthier than fruit
291
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It's worse to forget your phone than your money when going on holiday
292
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Teleworking is more productive than working in an office
293
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
The carnivore diet is naturally what humans should be eating
294
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People are more depressed nowadays than 50 years ago
295
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People who get up early are happier
296
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
We don't need to eat more than one meal a day
297
Argue FOR the statement below:
Traditional books are better than e-books
298
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Living a minimalistic living style makes you less stressed
299
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Giving money to charities is a bad idea
300
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We need at least 8 hours sleep every night
301
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Alcohol is worse for people than smoking?
302
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
If a woman hits a man then that man should be able to hit the woman
303
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The man should pay the bill on a first date
304
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
New year's resolutions never work
305
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The world would be a better place without borders
306
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People should be wary of having a smart speaker in their home
307
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You should need a license to own a dog
308
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Governments should do more to encourage people to recycle
309
Argue FOR the statement below:
Protests are the best way to bring about change
310
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The older you are the wiser you become
311
Argue AGAINST the statement below:
Jokes about race are never acceptable