Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 267 · 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) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
2. 2.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the judges
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
5. 5.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Breaking news…”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
36. 36.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
39. 39.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) speaks first

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