Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 99 · 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 opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
4. 4.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
5. 5.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
6. 6.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
8. 8.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
10. 10.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the timekeeper (b) the last speech (c) the winner’s prize (d) the topic statement
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) answers the proposition
12. 12.📜 A good motion must have… (a) a hidden answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) one right answer
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) defines the key words (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) may test the definition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
16. 16.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
17. 17.True or false: “This House would give every class a pet.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
19. 19.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
20. 20.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) may test the definition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is against the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) must disprove the motion
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
26. 26.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
28. 28.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) may test the definition (c) is against the motion (d) is for the motion
29. 29.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Dear diary…”
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
31. 31.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) must prove the motion
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
35. 35.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the audience (d) the judges
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) answers the proposition
39. 39.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) speaks first
40. 40.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False

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