Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 704 · 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 speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
3. 3.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the audience
7. 7.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
19. 19.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
24. 24.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition

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