Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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