Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 878 · 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) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) may test the definition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
3. 3.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is against the motion
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
10. 10.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
11. 11.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
17. 17.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
19. 19.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) is for the motion
20. 20.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
26. 26.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
31. 31.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) must disprove the motion
32. 32.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
38. 38.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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