C1 late teens are ready for motions that challenge their worldview. These 75 motions push 16-18 year olds into territory where easy answers do not exist: the ethics of surveillance, the limits of tolerance, whether intent matters more than impact, and the tension between individual freedom and collective responsibility. These are the questions that universities and employers expect young adults to engage with, and the debate format develops the structured argumentation skills to do so.
At C1, debate is no longer just a speaking activity. It develops critical thinking, empathy (through arguing positions you disagree with), evidence evaluation, and the ability to respond to unexpected challenges in real time. These are transferable skills that serve students in every academic and professional context.
Preparing for university and beyond
Use 2-3 minute speeches with a 60-second rebuttal round. Require speakers to directly address at least one argument from the opposition. This prevents the common debate pitfall where each side simply presents prepared points without engaging with the other. The rebuttal round is where the most authentic, spontaneous language production happens.
The intellectual depth C1 teens deserve
C1 teens preparing for university interviews benefit enormously from debate practice. Interview panels look for the ability to think on your feet, consider counter-arguments, and express complex ideas clearly. Regular debate practice develops exactly these skills. The motions in this bank cover topics that frequently appear in university admissions interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All motions are designed for classroom use. They cover ethics, policy, and philosophy without touching on partisan politics, religion, or personal sensitivity. The topics are challenging intellectually, not inappropriate.
C1 motions are more abstract, more ambiguous, and harder to argue definitively. B2 motions have clearer right-and-wrong angles. C1 motions deliberately present genuine dilemmas where both sides have defensible positions.
Yes. YapYapGo Premium includes an AI motion generator that creates new debate motions graded to the age and level of your class, perfect for topics related to current events or course content.