Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 990 · 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 says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) defines the key words (d) speaks first
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
6. 6.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the audience (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
7. 7.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must prove the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) is for the motion
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
10. 10.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
11. 11.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
13. 13.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
15. 15.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) must disprove the motion
16. 16.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
17. 17.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
19. 19.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) must prove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is for the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
25. 25.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “This House…” (d) “Once upon a time…”
26. 26.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
27. 27.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the last speech (b) the winner’s prize (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
28. 28.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) must disprove the motion
33. 33.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) one right answer (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
34. 34.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition

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