Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 855 · 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 proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) says “I beg to oppose”
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
13. 13.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the topic statement (c) the timekeeper (d) the last speech
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
15. 15.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
20. 20.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
22. 22.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
23. 23.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) says “I beg to propose”
26. 26.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
34. 34.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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