Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 597 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
12. 12.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) may test the definition
15. 15.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
23. 23.🔍 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
24. 24.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must prove the motion
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the proposition (d) the judges
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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