Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 709 · 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 believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
4. 4.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
12. 12.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) is against the motion
14. 14.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
21. 21.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “Dear diary…”
22. 22.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) two sides to argue (d) no clear meaning
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
32. 32.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
35. 35.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True

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