Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 699 · 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) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Breaking news…”
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
21. 21.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
24. 24.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
33. 33.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
38. 38.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition

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