Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 493 · 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 may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
5. 5.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” 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) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
13. 13.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
23. 23.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
35. 35.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
39. 39.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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