Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 971 · 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 side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
3. 3.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
4. 4.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) may test the definition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
8. 8.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) speaks first (c) is against the motion (d) must prove the motion
10. 10.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) two sides to argue (c) a hidden answer (d) no clear meaning
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
17. 17.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
19. 19.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
22. 22.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
23. 23.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
24. 24.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
25. 25.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
28. 28.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
31. 31.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) defines the key words (d) is against the motion
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
34. 34.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
35. 35.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
39. 39.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the winner’s prize
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable

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