Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 718 · 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.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the topic statement (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
6. 6.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
12. 12.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
16. 16.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.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) speaks first
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
26. 26.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) a hidden answer
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
32. 32.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
34. 34.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
35. 35.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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