Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 130 · 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 is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
3. 3.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
5. 5.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
6. 6.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) speaks first (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
8. 8.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
9. 9.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
10. 10.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
11. 11.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
12. 12.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) answers the proposition (d) says “I beg to oppose”
14. 14.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
15. 15.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) may test the definition (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is for the motion
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
17. 17.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
18. 18.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must prove the motion
19. 19.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
21. 21.True or false: “This House would make cooking a school subject.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the judges (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the audience
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the audience
25. 25.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) may test the definition (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) speaks first
26. 26.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
27. 27.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.📜 A good motion must have… (a) one right answer (b) a hidden answer (c) no clear meaning (d) two sides to argue
29. 29.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) answers the proposition (d) must prove the motion
31. 31.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
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 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) says “I beg to propose” (d) defines the key words
37. 37.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the winner’s prize (c) the last speech (d) the timekeeper
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
40. 40.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable

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