Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

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

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