Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 195 · 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 may test the definition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
3. 3.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
4. 4.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) speaks first (d) may test the definition
5. 5.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
6. 6.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) is for the motion (c) is against the motion (d) says “I beg to oppose”
7. 7.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
8. 8.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
9. 9.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
10. 10.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) says “I beg to propose”
11. 11.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
12. 12.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
13. 13.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would start school an hour later.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
14. 14.⚖️ Which side answers the proposition? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
15. 15.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the topic statement (b) the timekeeper (c) the winner’s prize (d) the last speech
16. 16.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
18. 18.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
19. 19.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the opposition (b) the judges (c) the audience (d) the proposition
20. 20.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) must disprove the motion
21. 21.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) speaks first (c) defines the key words (d) says “I beg to propose”
24. 24.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Breaking news…” (b) “This House…” (c) “Once upon a time…” (d) “Dear diary…”
25. 25.True or false: “This House believes every school needs a garden.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) speaks first (d) must disprove the motion
27. 27.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
28. 28.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the proposition (b) the audience (c) the judges (d) the opposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
31. 31.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) defines the key words (d) must disprove the motion
32. 32.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
33. 33.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
36. 36.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
39. 39.True or false: “This House would ban homework at weekends.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
40. 40.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first

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