Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 1 · 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 ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
8. 8.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
9. 9.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
10. 10.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) two sides to argue (d) a hidden answer
11. 11.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) answers the proposition (d) defines the key words
14. 14.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
17. 17.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
19. 19.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
20. 20.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) is for the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
21. 21.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the opposition
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) is against the motion (c) must disprove the motion (d) must prove the motion
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
27. 27.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
30. 30.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) answers the proposition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
34. 34.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) defines the key words (c) must disprove the motion (d) speaks first
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes a year has twelve months.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is for the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
37. 37.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
38. 38.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
39. 39.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True

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