Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 806 · 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) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) defines the key words
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the timekeeper (c) the topic statement (d) the winner’s prize
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
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.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
12. 12.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
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 of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
28. 28.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to propose”
30. 30.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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