Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 181 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
12. 12.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
35. 35.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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