Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 218 · 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 proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) may test the definition
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “This House…”
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
36. 36.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion

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