Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 406 · 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) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
11. 11.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
23. 23.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) no clear meaning
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
25. 25.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
29. 29.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
38. 38.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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