Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 792 · 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 opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
6. 6.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) answers the proposition
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the last speech
13. 13.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
31. 31.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the opposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must disprove the motion
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is for the motion
36. 36.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) must prove the motion
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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