Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 107 · 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.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
2. 2.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) is against the motion (c) speaks first (d) says “I beg to propose”
3. 3.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
4. 4.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the last speech (c) the timekeeper (d) the winner’s prize
5. 5.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) two sides to argue
8. 8.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) is against the motion (c) may test the definition (d) must prove the motion
11. 11.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Dear diary…” (b) “Breaking news…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “This House…”
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) answers the proposition
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make homework optional.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) says “I beg to propose”
17. 17.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
18. 18.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
21. 21.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) speaks first (d) is for the motion
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) answers the proposition
24. 24.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) defines the key words (c) answers the proposition (d) speaks first
25. 25.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
27. 27.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to oppose”
28. 28.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
29. 29.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) defines the key words (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the proposition (c) the judges (d) the audience
32. 32.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
33. 33.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) is against the motion
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would make cooking a school subject.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
38. 38.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) defines the key words (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
39. 39.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition

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