Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 232 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
4. 4.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
11. 11.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
21. 21.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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