Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 945 · 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.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the opposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
5. 5.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
6. 6.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
10. 10.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
11. 11.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) one right answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
12. 12.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
14. 14.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
18. 18.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
19. 19.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
20. 20.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) is for the motion (d) must prove the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
37. 37.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
39. 39.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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