Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 883 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
2. 2.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
5. 5.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the opposition (c) the audience (d) the proposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “This House…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Dear diary…” (d) “Breaking news…”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is for the motion
11. 11.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) two sides to argue (c) no clear meaning (d) one right answer
15. 15.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the judges
20. 20.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) speaks first
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
37. 37.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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