Debate
Questions
(Beginner Level) Should schools require students to play sports?
(Intermediate Level) Is watching sports as enjoyable as playing them?
(Advanced Level) Do professional athletes deserve to earn high salaries?
SAMPLE ANSWERS:
Beginner Level: Should schools require students to play sports?
For (Pro-Requirement):
Yes, schools should require sports because it helps students stay healthy. Playing sports makes them strong and active. It also teaches them teamwork and how to be a good friend. Sports are good for kids. They learn to follow rules and work together. This helps them in school and later in life.
Against (Anti-Requirement):
No, schools should not require sports. Some students don’t like sports or have health problems. They should be able to choose other activities they enjoy, like music or art. Requiring sports can make kids feel stressed. They might feel bad if they are not good at sports. Schools should let kids choose what they want to do.
Intermediate Level: Is watching sports as enjoyable as playing them?
For (Watching is as Enjoyable):
Watching sports can be very exciting. You get to see amazing athletes perform at their best. You can share the excitement with friends and family, and it’s a great way to relax and have fun. The emotional rollercoaster of a close game can be very enjoyable. Watching professional sports allows you to witness strategies and skill that are beyond the ability of most people. It is a form of entertainment that is a welcome escape from everyday life. Also, you can learn a lot about the sport by observing professionals.
Against (Playing is More Enjoyable):
Playing sports is more enjoyable because you are part of the action. You feel the excitement of the game and the satisfaction of improving your skills. Watching is passive, but playing is active and engaging. You get the physical benefits of playing. The feeling of scoring a goal, making a great play, or working together with your team to win is much more rewarding than just watching someone else do it. Playing creates memories and experiences that you can’t get from watching.
Advanced Level: Do professional athletes deserve to earn high salaries?
For (Athletes Deserve High Salaries):
Professional athletes deserve high salaries because they possess exceptional talent and dedication. They invest years of rigorous training and sacrifice to reach the elite level. Their careers are often short due to the physical demands, and their earnings reflect the high risk of injury. They generate massive revenue for leagues, teams, and sponsors, and their salaries are a reflection of their market value.
The entertainment industry, of which professional sports is a large part, generates billions of dollars. The athletes are the product that the consumers are paying to see. Their salaries are a direct result of the market and the high demand for their skills. Also, they are role models for many people, and that comes with a large amount of pressure.
Against (Athletes Do Not Deserve High Salaries):
While athletes deserve compensation for their skills, the extreme salaries are disproportionate to the earnings of essential workers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters. The focus on high athlete salaries can distort societal values and priorities. The money could be better allocated to critical services and infrastructure.
The high salaries of professional athletes contribute to the commercialization of sports, which can detract from the spirit of fair play and community. The focus on money can create a culture of greed and entitlement, which is not a positive message for young people. Many athletes are overpaid for what is essentially entertainment.