Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 457 · 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 make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
22. 22.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
31. 31.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
32. 32.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) may test the definition
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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