Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 456 · 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) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
2. 2.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to oppose”
6. 6.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
26. 26.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
27. 27.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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