Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 240 · 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) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
9. 9.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
11. 11.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
21. 21.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
29. 29.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition

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