Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 162 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
2. 2.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
7. 7.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
23. 23.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
29. 29.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students