Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 247 · 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) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
14. 14.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
32. 32.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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