Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 399 · 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 must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
12. 12.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
32. 32.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
33. 33.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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