Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 293 · 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.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
6. 6.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the audience
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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